Erika Jayne did not hold back when it came to listing attributes she expects of her next partner, including how much they should have in the bank.
When asked ‘how important’ a suitor’s checkbook is to her, the 50-year-old reality star told TMZ: ‘Every girl, you know, likes a guy with money.’
As for the ‘number one quality’ she is looking for in a man, the mom-of-one replied ‘intelligence’ without missing a beat.
Dating after divorce: Erika Jayne didn’t hold back when it came to listing attributes she expects of her next partner, including how much he should have in the bank; seen with her estranged husband Tom Girardi in 2016
The Pretty Mess author, whose estranged husband Tom Girardi is 33 years her senior, said age ‘doesn’t matter’ as long as they’re older than 25.
Over the past month, the singer has been slowly putting herself back out on a ‘handful’ of dates with ‘different men’ within the last few weeks.
Sources previously told the outlet that Erika has ‘jumped back into the LA dating pool’ and was seen heading out on dates for the first time since filing for divorce 11-months ago.
![What matters most: When asked what she's looking for in a man, the 50-year-old reality star replied 'intelligence' without missing a beat; seen in 2020](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/19/49804801-10145681-What_matters_most_When_asked_what_she_s_looking_for_in_a_man_the-a-97_1635530942984.jpg)
What matters most: When asked what she’s looking for in a man, the 50-year-old reality star replied ‘intelligence’ without missing a beat; seen in 2020
She and the disbarred lawyer were married for 21 years and news of their divorce came weeks before a class-action suit was filed against the pair.
The former couple have been accused of embezzling $2million (£1.45m) meant for families who lost loved ones in the 2018 Lion Air plane crash. They are also being accused of using their separation to protect themselves financially.
A class action lawsuit filed by Edelson PC on 2 December in Illinois accuses Erika and Girardi of embezzling money meant for his law firm clients because he’s ‘on the verge of financial collapse’ and needed to finance their lavish lifestyle.
![Honest: In response to TMZ asking 'how important' a suitor's checkbook is to her, the mother-of-one said 'every girl, you know, likes a guy with money'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/19/49805123-10145681-Honest_In_response_to_TMZ_asking_how_important_a_suitor_s_checkb-a-100_1635530943184.jpg)
Honest: In response to TMZ asking ‘how important’ a suitor’s checkbook is to her, the mother-of-one said ‘every girl, you know, likes a guy with money’
The suit seems to further claims that the divorce is a strategy to protect their money from debt collectors.
‘At the heart of this deception is Defendant Girardi and his need to fund outrageous lifestyles for himself and his soon-to-be ex-wife, Erika Jayne,’ the complaint, obtained by DailyMail.com, said.
Girardi is also being sued by Wells Fargo Vendor Financial Services for $882,715 (£641,755) of unpaid office lease and business supply charges, according to court documents obtained by Page Six.
![Back on the market: A sources recently claimed Erika has enjoyed a 'handful' of dates in Los Angeles with 'different men' over the last month](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/19/49805127-10145681-Back_on_the_market_A_sources_recently_claimed_Erika_has_enjoyed_-a-98_1635530942987.jpg)
Back on the market: A sources recently claimed Erika has enjoyed a ‘handful’ of dates in Los Angeles with ‘different men’ over the last month
Furthermore, he is facing a lawsuit from Robert Keese, a partner in his law firm who claims Girardi owes him over $500,000 (£363k) and is also named in Edelson PC’s class-action suit.
The once powerful Los Angeles lawyer has also been the subject of numerous bar complaints alleging financial malfeasance involving millions of dollars owed to clients, including female cancer victims and a burn victim
Girardi was stripped of his law license from the State Bar Of California, following the slew of legal challenges, which have reportedly become complicated due to the disgraced attorney’s declining health.
Last month, Girardi was put under a temporary conservatorship and a doctor in the case later testified that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disorder.
Erika found herself in the hot seat as the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 11 reunion played out on Bravo recently.
She was quizzed by host Andy Cohen, who is the executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise, over her relationship with her now estranged husband and what and when she knew about his business dealings and embezzlement scandal.
![Legal woes: The once powerful Los Angeles lawyer has also been the subject of numerous bar complaints alleging financial malfeasance involving millions of dollars owed to clients, including female cancer victims and a burn victim](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/19/49805121-10145681-Legal_woes_The_once_powerful_Los_Angeles_lawyer_has_also_been_th-a-96_1635530942586.jpg)
Legal woes: The once powerful Los Angeles lawyer has also been the subject of numerous bar complaints alleging financial malfeasance involving millions of dollars owed to clients, including female cancer victims and a burn victim
![Candid: Erika was seen addressing her divorce and the embezzlement allegations against Girardi on the reunion special of RHOB's 11th season with host Andy Cohen](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/19/49805155-10145681-Candid_Erika_was_seen_addressing_her_divorce_and_the_embezzlemen-a-104_1635530943381.jpg)
Candid: Erika was seen addressing her divorce and the embezzlement allegations against Girardi on the reunion special of RHOB’s 11th season with host Andy Cohen
The conversation saw Erika accuse Girardi of being unfaithful to her for ‘years’ and claim she knew of ‘three mistresses’ her ex had when they were together, as she claimed she ‘wasn’t in control’ of her finances and handed over ‘every pay check’ to her former spouse.
‘I gave every paycheck to my husband,’ she alleged, adding: ‘I’ll say this – I was 27 when I went in. He was 60. The power balance was way out of whack. I trusted this man. All my finances were kept down at the firm.’
Expressing her desire to move on from her failed marriage and the current scandal surrounding herself and Girardi, Erika said: ‘I just turned 50. I cannot allow this to destroy me and take me to a place that I cannot recover. I have to survive this.’
![At a loss: Reflecting on the breakdown of her marriage, Erika said: 'I'm trying, much like everyone else around me, to figure out what the f*** happened'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/19/49805203-10145681-At_a_loss_Reflecting_on_the_breakdown_of_her_marriage_Erika_said-a-103_1635530943379.jpg)
At a loss: Reflecting on the breakdown of her marriage, Erika said: ‘I’m trying, much like everyone else around me, to figure out what the f*** happened’
She confirmed that Girardi was now in a memory care facility and that their divorce proceedings have been delayed due to his conservatorship.
Reflecting on the breakdown of her marriage, Erika said: ‘I’m trying, much like everyone else around me, to figure out what the f*** happened.’
The TV star said that she hopes the embezzlement allegations facing Girardi are ‘not true’ and insisted she had loved him.
On her being associated with the allegations in the headlines, Erika said: ‘I feel terrible, this is not who I am.’
She explained that a bankruptcy trustee now has to sort out what money goes where and at this point in time, she is focused on worrying about herself.