'She trusted Tom Girardi': Erika Jayne's attorney argues as 'RHOBH' star demands jury trial in $25M lawsuit
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Erika Jayne of 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' has requested a jury trial in the $25 million lawsuit brought against her citing that she trusted her estranged husband completely. She has notified the court that she wishes to defend her case in front of a group of her peers, according to court papers obtained by RadarOnline.
The 'RHOBH' actress was questioned in December 2022 as part of a significant bankruptcy case that demanded she repays $25 million that her husband's business had paid for her company's expenses. Court records state that the receiver overseeing Tom Girardi's now-defunct law company Girardi Keese's forced Chapter 7 bankruptcy notified the court of the development. "The [trustee] has deposed [Jayne]," the trustee declared. "No other depositions have been taken or noticed." Back in 2020, Tom's numerous debtors forced him and his company into insolvency. The formerly reputable attorney is charged with operating his company like a Ponzi scam.
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Why is Erika Jayne being sued for $25 million?
Tom Girardi is reportedly charged with stealing money from his client and using it to support his extravagant lifestyle with Jayne. The Bravo celebrity has said she was unaware of her husband's allegedly dishonest money transactions. Tom's creditors, which include orphans and widows who were shortchanged on settlement money they are due from a court fight Tom defended them in, have been working to gather as much cash as possible to repay Tom.
In connection with the insolvency of the business, the administrator sued Erika for $25 million. It requested that she return the cash that Girardi Keese had used to settle the accounts at her business, EJ Global. According to court records, Girardi Keese over the years spent $14 million on EJ Global's American Express invoices. Erika has moved to have the lawsuit dismissed and has refuted all accusations of misconduct.
Erika demands trial
The trustee launched the massive case against Erika months after Tom Girardi was pushed into bankruptcy, demanding she returns millions Tom's firm used to cover the expenses for her company EJ Global. Erika is being sued for millions of dollars expended between 2008 and 2020.
"Ms. Girardi at all times was and is an entertainer with a 12th-grade education. Ms. Girardi was never and is not an attorney, and she trusted that GK, Mr. Girardi, and the outside accountants, given their superior knowledge and expertise, prepared proper, lawful, and legitimate tax returns," her counsel contended as per RadarOnline.
Erika requested that the entire case be dismissed, alleging that her spouse was "solvent" when he paid her expenses. Erika and the trustee disclosed in the most recent document that they are still in settlement talks, but no agreement has been made. "The parties had previously engaged in settlement discussions over an extended period of time," according to the story, which was first published by lawyer Ronald Richards. "No settlement was reached, but settlement negotiations have resumed and are ongoing."
Erika will return to court in June, where the judge will establish a trial date if the sides cannot reach an agreement.