Erika Jayne’s Husband Thomas Girardi’s Former Employee Throws Him Under The Bus In Court Battle Over Orphans’ Missing Millions
Sept. 3 2021, Published 2:07 p.m. ET
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne’s husband Thomas Girardi’s former law firm attorney says the once-powerful lawyer was the only one with access to their client’s settlement funds.
According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, Ken Griffin, an attorney who worked with Jayne’s husband at Girardi Keese is asking for all claims against him to be dismissed in federal court.
Last year, Girardi was sued along with Jayne, Griffin, and his son-in-law David Lira. The suit accuses the defendant of embezzling millions meant for orphans and widows.
Girardi and the firm represented the family members who lost their loved ones in the Lion Air crash in 2018. A multi-million settlement was reached with Boeing.
However, the victims’ families claim they never received the full amount. In the federal lawsuit, Girardi is accused of using the money to help fund his lavish lifestyle with Jayne.
They also believe the Bravo star’s divorce filing was a “sham” to hide assets. The judge presiding over the case found Girardi in contempt of court for failing to explain where the missing millions were.
He also referred the case to the U.S. attorney’s office for criminal investigation. Last year, he was placed under a conservatorship by his family due to his alleged dementia.
Griffin previously told the court he, “could not elaborate on why such an amount was still owed to certain clients or what the status of the remaining settlement proceeds was because Girardi is the sole equity owner of [his firm Girardi Kesse] with sole and exclusive control over the firm’s bank accounts, including its client trust accounts.”
Now, in a newly filed motion, Griffin is asking again to be dismissed from the case claiming he did nothing wrong. He says he never collected a dime for the family members and it all went directly to the firm.
His motion reads, “money was transferred from Boeing to Girardi Keese in 2020 to settle the clients’ cases. This money was for the benefit of the Lion Air clients, minus agreed-upon attorneys’ fees. Mr. Griffin did not receive the money. The money was received by Girardi Keese."
The federal suit was brought by a law firm that worked with Girardi on the case. They claim not only did he not pay the clients but they were screwed out of their cut.
However, Griffin argues, “Because the fee-sharing “agreements” between Plaintiff and Girardi Keese were not signed by any of the clients, the agreements are also unenforceable under California law.”
He says because of the clients not signing the paperwork the deals are not valid. Griffin is asking to be let out of the legal drama completely. A judge has yet to rule.
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As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Jayne was recently sued by the trustee presiding over Girardi’s involuntary bankruptcy. He is demanding she return $25 million used by the firm to pay her company EJ Global’s bills from 2008 until 2020. Jayne has thus refused to return a dime.
