The State Bar of California has revealed thatTom Girardi, the estranged husband ofReal Housewives of Beverly HillsstarErika Girardi, was investigated for more than 200 “disciplinary matters” prior to beingofficially disbarred in August 2021.
According to anopen letterfrom the agency, Tom, 83, was under investigation for allegations of client trust account violations, misrepresentations to courts and clients, failure to communicate with clients, failure to perform and other claims over the course of his legal career.
“Over the past 40 years, the State Bar opened 205 disciplinary matters about Girardi,” the letter reads. “Of the 205 matters, approximately 120 involved allegations relating to client trust account violations.”
“Of these 205 disciplinary matters, the State Bar received 69 complaints on or after December 18, 2020, when a petition was filed to force Girardi’s law firm into bankruptcy. Nearly 60 of those recent complaints alleged client trust account violations,” the letter continued.
The State Bar noted that the handling of Tom’s disbarment “brought to light serious failures in the State Bar’s attorney discipline system” which “have contributed to a lack of confidence in the State Bar’s ability to carry out our core responsibility of protecting the public.”
“There is no excuse being offered here,” the letter continued. “Girardi caused irreparable harm to hundreds of his clients, and the State Bar could have done more to protect the public.”
The agency also vowed to “never allow something like this to happen again.”
Tom Girardi.Business Wire/Getty Images
Erika, 51,filed for divorcefrom Tom in November 2020 after 21 years of marriage as the racketeering and embezzlementallegationswere rising. Allegations included both a criminal and civil suit, the latter of which named Erika as well.
Though acivil battle continues, it was recently concluded in one case that the plaintiffs suing Erika for “aiding and abetting” her estranged husband in alleged fraudfailed to prove she had any knowledge of the alleged crimes, which Erika took as a hopeful sign.
“Two years now down the road, we’re getting some really great rulings, and I’m grateful for that,” she said during theRHOBHpanel at last weekend’sBravoCon 2022. “And more to go… SoI’m in a much better place, and I’m grateful for that.”
Erika and Tom Girardi.Steve Eichner/AP
Amid hislegal woesand divorce from Erika, Tom was diagnosed withdementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s diseasein March 2021. That July, he was moved to anursing facilitywith 24-hour care.
During a May appearance onWatch What Happens Livewith Andy Cohen, Erika offeredan update on Tom’s health, telling hostAndy Cohenthat his condition had not improved.
“Tom lives in a memory care facility… Look, I can only say decline and further decline, it will not get better,” she said, noting that Tom still often reaches out, though their phone calls “last about five seconds.”
Cohen, 54, then asked Erika how aware Tom is of his legal troubles, to which Erika responded, “He thinks he’s still practicing law.”
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source: people.com
