The Associated Press | The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES – Disgraced Los Angeles celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi has been found competent to stand trial on charges he stole more than $15 million from his clients.
A federal judge filed a notice of the brief under-seat order on Tuesday. Attorneys for both sides were given five days to identify any information contained therein that they believe the judge should keep confidential.
Girardi, 84, is the estranged husband of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne.
Girardi pleaded not guilty last year in Los Angeles to wire fraud charges for embezzling from clients including an Arizona widow whose husband died in a boating accident; a Los Angeles couple injured in a car accident that paralyzed their son; and a man who suffered severe burns in the 2010 San Bruno gas pipeline explosion.
If convicted, he could face decades in federal prison.
More: Disgraced attorney Tom Girardi, ex of “RHOBH” star Erika Jayne, has been charged with fraud
The Associated Press sent messages to his public defenders seeking comment.
The competency hearing focused on whether Girardi understood the allegations and proceedings against him and could assist in his own defense. His lawyers argued that he could not attend the trial because he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which had caused him confusion and memory problems. He currently lives in the memory care unit of a nursing home.
Prosecutors alleged that Girardi exaggerated his symptoms.
As one of the country's most prominent plaintiffs' lawyers, Girardi took on powerful corporations, movie studios and Pacific Gas and Electric in a case that resulted in a $333 million settlement that was featured in the Julia Roberts film “Erin Brockovich.” Year 2000 was shown.
But his legal empire collapsed, his license to practice law was revoked in California in 2022 for client theft, and he faces mounting legal problems.
Girardi is also charged with wire fraud in Chicago, accused of stealing about $3 million from family members of victims of a 2018 Lion Air crash that killed 189 people.
The Chicago court is expected to follow the jurisdiction decision in California.
From 2020: “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” stars Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi have separated after 21 years