Tom Girardi: The 5 Most Shocking Updates On The Disgraced Legal Titan's Prison Sentence And $25 Million Fraud Saga

The saga of Thomas Vincent Girardi, once a celebrated legal titan, has reached its grim and definitive conclusion in the criminal justice system as of mid-2025. The former attorney, known for securing massive settlements and his high-profile marriage to *Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* star Erika Jayne, has been sentenced to federal prison for years of wire fraud, a shocking culmination of a scandal that saw him disbarred and his once-powerful law firm, Girardi Keese, dissolved. This article details the most recent and critical updates, including his sentencing, his frail health, and the continuing legal fallout for his estranged wife. The final chapter of Girardi's criminal case closed with a sentence of over seven years, confirming his fall from grace is permanent. The legal and financial wreckage he left behind continues to be untangled by the bankruptcy trustee, with the spotlight now firmly focused on Erika Jayne's efforts to fight a massive $25 million lawsuit. The details surrounding his incarceration and the state of his health paint a bleak picture for the 86-year-old former powerhouse.

Thomas V. Girardi: A Life Profile and Legal Legacy

Thomas Vincent Girardi's career was a testament to the American Dream before it became a cautionary tale of greed and betrayal. His story, which spanned decades of landmark litigation, is essential to understanding the gravity of his eventual downfall.

• Full Name: Thomas Vincent Girardi
• Born: June 3, 1939 (Age 86 as of 2025)
• Education: Unknown (Further research needed, but he was a practicing attorney)
• Spouses: Karen (first wife), Kathy (second wife), Erika Chahoy (Erika Jayne, third wife)
• Children: One son, Thomas Girardi Jr.
• Law Firm: Co-founder of Girardi & Keese (later Girardi Keese), a prominent Los Angeles-based firm.
• Career Highlight: Served as part of the legal team that successfully litigated the landmark environmental contamination case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in 1993. This case was later immortalized in the Academy Award-winning film *Erin Brockovich*.
• Downfall: Disbarred in 2022 and convicted of wire fraud in 2024 for stealing millions in client settlement funds.

Girardi’s reputation as a "plaintiffs' lawyer" was built on securing justice for the common person against large corporations. His work on the PG&E case, which resulted in a massive settlement, cemented his status as a legal legend, a legacy that has now been permanently overshadowed by his criminal convictions.

The Final Verdict: Tom Girardi's 2025 Federal Prison Sentence

The most significant and recent development in the Girardi saga is the culmination of his criminal proceedings. After years of legal maneuvering, health concerns, and public scrutiny, the former lawyer was officially sentenced to a substantial prison term.

Sentenced to 87 Months for Wire Fraud

On June 3, 2025, Tom Girardi was sentenced to 87 months—just over seven years—in federal prison. The sentencing came after a jury found him guilty in August 2024 on four counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors successfully argued that Girardi had systematically stolen millions of dollars from his clients, including burn victims and the families of plane crash victims. The judge ordered the disgraced legal titan to surrender to federal authorities no later than July 17, 2025. The conviction centered on the misappropriation of client settlement funds, effectively turning the legal system's promise of justice into a personal piggy bank. The severity of the sentence reflects the profound breach of trust inherent in a lawyer stealing from the very clients he was sworn to protect.

Health and Incarceration Concerns

Girardi's age and rapidly deteriorating health became a central point of argument during his sentencing phase. His attorneys pleaded for leniency, citing his frail condition, advanced age, and worsening dementia. * Dementia: Court documents have repeatedly referenced Girardi’s cognitive decline and severe dementia, which placed him under a conservatorship in 2021. * Hospitalization: In the lead-up to his sentencing, Girardi was hospitalized due to liver dysfunction, further complicating his immediate surrender to authorities. * Judge's Ruling: Despite arguments that the elderly convict would be at risk of exploitation or physical assault in prison, the judge remained firm. The court noted that federal prison facilities have accommodations and medical provisions for elderly inmates suffering from mental health issues. Girardi is set to remain incarcerated as he awaits the appeal of his fraud conviction, meaning his life in federal custody has already begun, a stark contrast to the opulent lifestyle he once enjoyed.

The $25 Million Fallout: Erika Jayne's Impending Trial

While Tom Girardi's criminal case has concluded, the sprawling civil and bankruptcy proceedings continue, with Erika Jayne at the center of the most high-stakes battle. The focus remains on the millions of dollars allegedly transferred from Girardi's now-defunct law firm, Girardi Keese, to Erika's personal company.

The February 2026 Showdown

Erika Jayne, known for her role on *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills*, is currently facing a massive $25 million lawsuit filed by the bankruptcy trustee overseeing the liquidation of Girardi Keese. The core of the lawsuit alleges that Thomas Girardi's firm funneled over $25 million to Erika's company, EJ Global, over several years, beginning as early as 2008. The trustee argues that these funds were essentially stolen client money used to finance Erika's extravagant lifestyle and pop career. The civil trial date has been set for February 2026, setting the stage for a major legal showdown that will determine the fate of the funds and potentially Erika's financial future.

Settlement Negotiations and Legal Defense

The pressure on Erika Jayne is immense. Reports indicate that her legal team is actively considering a settlement to resolve the $25 million lawsuit before the 2026 trial date. While a full settlement would be a significant financial blow, it would allow her to avoid a public, drawn-out trial that could further damage her public image. It is important to note that Erika Jayne has previously scored a legal victory in a separate case. In one instance, a claim filed against her by a personal injury attorney was dismissed, with the court affirming that she was not directly liable for the misdeeds of her estranged husband, Tom Girardi. However, the $25 million lawsuit centers specifically on the transfer of funds to her company, a separate and more challenging legal hurdle to overcome. The bankruptcy trustee's aggressive pursuit of the money highlights the continuing effort to recover assets for the hundreds of victims left in Girardi's wake.

The Broader Impact: Entities and Victims of Girardi Keese

The scandal extends far beyond Tom Girardi and Erika Jayne, touching numerous entities and individuals who were either complicit, victims, or tasked with cleaning up the financial disaster. * Girardi Keese: The once-powerful downtown Los Angeles law firm is now a defunct entity, its assets being sold off to repay creditors and victims. * Christopher Kamon: The former head of accounting for Girardi's firm was also tried for two counts of wire fraud, accused of aiding the financial crimes. * The Victims: The true entities are the hundreds of victims—the families of the Lion Air Flight 610 crash, burn victims, and other personal injury clients—whose settlement money was stolen, a crime that fueled the lavish lifestyle of the disgraced lawyer and his wife. The ongoing legal battles, including the $25 million claim against EJ Global, are all part of the massive effort to ensure that the victims of this historic fraud receive the compensation they were originally owed. The severity of Tom Girardi's 2025 prison sentence serves as a final, definitive statement on the legal consequences of his actions.