A Los Angeles federal judge has ruled that disgraced lawyer Tom Girardi is competent enough to stand trial on embezzlement charges despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
The decision was announced Tuesday and was filed by U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton. A brief note in the docket stated that the sealed order stated that “defendant is competent to stand trial.”
Lawyers on both sides will have five days to decide whether information, such as health records and other confidential material, should be kept confidential and whether the seal should remain in place.
The decision came after a federal judge presided over a three-day hearing that began on August 3.
Former Los Angeles lawyer, 84 years old. He is best known for working on cases like those featured in the movie “Erin Brockovich” and appearing on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Separated wife Erica Jaynewill now be prosecuted Suspected of embezzling $15 million From his former clients from 2010 to 2020.
Girardi is Diagnosed with late-onset Alzheimer's disease and dementia In March 2021.
The ruling was an important victory for prosecutors and Girardi's former clients, who had worried that Girardi's dementia diagnosis would prevent accountability and a proper trial.
“He's not above the law,” said former client Danny Burns. Los Angeles Times. “He has caused a lot of harm to people.
Burns believes he was defrauded from the 1990s of about $2 million in Lockheed settlements for workers who claimed to have been poisoned by chemicals used at the aerospace facility.
“He caused damage to the family,” Burns added. “He stole our money and our inheritance. He knows it, so he needs to be feared.”
One of Girardi's victims named in the indictment, Joseph Ruigomez, who suffered severe burns in the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion, was “stunned” by today's verdict.
“I thought they would let me go easily,” Ruigomez said.
If convicted of wire fraud, Mr. Girardi could face up to 20 years in prison, and could die in prison.
In December 2020, Girardi and Jain were sued by class action firm Edelson PC on behalf of numerous Boeing crash victims for allegedly embezzling settlement funds meant to help victims of Lion Air Flight 610. It was done.
The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Girardi and his law firm, Girardi Keith, are “on the verge of financial failure and are in a downward spiral of increasing debt and diminishing funds.” She needs the funds to support an exorbitant lifestyle for herself and her soon-to-be ex-husband.” -His wife Erica Jayne” is the reason why he filed for divorce at the right time.
“Erica publicly filed for divorce this month, and based on information and belief, that 'divorce' is being used by Tom and his law firm GK from those seeking to collect debts owed by Tom and his law firm GK. “This is nothing more than a false attempt to fraudulently protect Erica's money.” A lawsuit has been filed.
