A prominent former lawyer who donated big money to Democrats and hosted a fundraiser for President Biden was indicted by federal grand juries Wednesday in two states for allegedly embezzling more than $18 million from legal clients.
The Justice Department announced that Tom Girardi, 83, was indicted in Los Angeles on five counts of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. According to prosecutors, the charges are part of an indictment that accuses him of embezzling more than $15 million from clients and using the funds to cover his law firm’s salaries and pay his personal expenses.
The lawsuit also includes allegations against Christopher Kamon, the former chief financial officer of Girardi’s Los Angeles-based law firm, Girardi Keese, alleging that they “created, participated in and executed a scheme to defraud client victims” until the firm collapsed in end of 2020
Tom Girardi was once a respected attorney and litigated cases against PG&E, LA County Metro and Lockheed.
(Jim Steinfeld)
TOM GIRARDI, EX-HUSBAND OF ‘HOUSEWife’ AND SECRET LAWYER, CHARGED IN ALLEGED $15 MILLION FRAUD
Meanwhile, in Chicago, Girardi, his brother-in-law David Lira and Camon were charged with eight counts of wire fraud and four counts of contempt of court. Prosecutors say the trio stole more than $3 million in settlement funds intended for family members of those killed in a Boeing plane crash off the coast of Indonesia.
Wednesday’s indictments mark the latest chapter in the remarkable downfall of Girardi, who was one of Los Angeles’ most prominent lawyers before he was disbarred in disgrace in California last year.
Before his fall, Girardi cultivated close ties to numerous powerful Democratic politicians at all levels of government—mayors, governors, members of Congress, presidents and presidential candidates—through large donations and lavish fundraising spending.
Tom Girardi was indicted Wednesday on fraud charges by a federal grand jury.
(Irrfan Khan)
ERICA JANE WINS $5 MILLION FRAUD LAWSUIT, PUBLICATIONS ABOUT ESTATE HUSBAND TOM GIRARDI’S ALLEGED AFFAIR
Girardi, his relatives and employees have given at least $7.5 million in political donations to candidates and political committees, from city council races to presidential campaigns, according to a 2020 analysis by the Los Angeles Times. Most of that money went to Democrats, including Biden, for whom Girardi also hosted a lavish fundraiser in LA during the 2020 presidential cycle.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
In addition to Biden, Girardi has given tens of thousands of dollars each to the likes of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Senator Dianne Feinstein and numerous other local, state and federal elected officials.
California Governor Gavin Newsom.
(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GAVIN NEWSOM HAS LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP WITH DEM POWER PLAYER, FACED LAWSUITS AND INVESTIGATIONS
California Gov. Gavin Newsom received a total of $87,600 from Girardi for his 2018 gubernatorial campaign and a total of $8,500 for his 2014 lieutenant governor campaign, campaign finance records show.
Over the past decade, Girardi and his estranged wife, “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” reality TV star Erica Jane, have given more than $2 million to the national Democratic Party and individual candidates, according to campaign filings. And this was despite Girardi reportedly defaulting on high-interest loans and being forced to liquidate his stock portfolio.
Girardi’s deep pockets and status as a celebrity and high-powered attorney have reportedly given him easy and intimate access to Democrats both on Capitol Hill and in the California governor’s mansion.
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However, amid worsening legal troubles, Girardi’s lavish lifestyle has steadily crumbled, culminating in Wednesday’s charges.
In addition to losing political influence, Girardi is also in the process of divorcing Jane, who filed for separation in 2020 after 21 years of marriage. The two appeared together on Jane’s reality show.
Fox News’ Tracy Wright contributed reporting.