Thomas Vincet Girardi was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday for allegedly embezzling more than $15 million from legal clients.
The Justice Department announced the charges against the 83-year-old former lawyer who ran the LA-based Girardi & Keese law firm for decades, and rose to prominence as the trial attorney from the Erin Brockovich case.
Girardi is charged with five counts of wire fraud, which carries a maximum 20-year federal prison sentence.
“Mr. Girardi and Mr. Kamon stand accused of engaging in a widespread scheme to steal from their clients and lie to them to cover up the fraud,” United States Attorney Martin Estrada said in a release. “In doing so, they allegedly preyed on the very people who trusted and relied upon them the most—their clients. Actions like the ones alleged in the indictment bring disrepute upon the legal profession and will not be tolerated by my office.”
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Also charged in the indictment is Christopher Kazuo Kamon, 49, formerly of Encino and Palos Verdes. He remains in federal custody.
Tom Girardi indicted Wednesday for fraud by federal grand jury.
(Irfan Khan)
Girardi appeared on the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alongside then-wife, reality star Erika Jayne. Jayne filed for divorce from Girardi in November 2020 after 21 years of marriage.
(YouTube/Bravo)
Kamon served as the chief financial officer of Girardi’s law firm for 16 years and “oversaw” the firm’s expenses and the accounting department.
Girardi appeared on the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alongside then-wife, reality star Erika Jayne. Jayne filed for divorce from Girardi in November 2020 after 21 years of marriage.
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Girardi’s legal counsel did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The indictment claims Girardi and Kamon fraudulently obtained more than $15 million from clients in a span of 10 years, ending in December 2020.
“Mr. Girardi and Mr. Kamon allegedly created a mirage over several years in order to disguise the fact that they were robbing Girardi Keese clients of large sums of money” said Amir Ehsaei, the Acting Assistant Director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office.
Tom Girardi was once an esteemed lawyer and handled cases against PG&E, LA County Metro and Lockheed.
(Jim Steinfeldt)
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“The defendants exploited the hardships endured by their clients and took advantage of their unfamiliarity with the legal process while they denied victims what was rightfully due to them in order to fund their lavish lifestyles.”
Girardi allegedly negotiated settlements “on behalf of clients,” but then deposited proceeds to separate accounts which both he and Kamon had access to. Officials claim the misappropriated funds were used to pay credit card bills and on personal expenses.
Tom was disbarred from the State bar of California in July 2022 and has been under a conservatorship overseen by his brother Robert since June 2021. He suffers from “major neurocognitive disorder” and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in March.”
Kamon was charged separately on Jan. 19 with wire fraud for reportedly embezzling funds from the firm for personal use, including on renovations at his residences, travel and shopping. His trail is scheduled for March 14.
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