A federal jury has convicted disbarred LA lawyer Tom Girardi of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from his clients. Several of his clients suffered from severe physical injuries. He also represented families of people killed in accidents.

A federal jury found the 85-year-old Girardi guilty of four counts of wire fraud. Jury only deliberated for a day after the 13-day trial.

Girardi is the estranged husband of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne. He also appeared on the show himself dozens of times between 2015 and 2020.

Girardi was once among the most prominent lawyers in the nation. He often representing victims of major disasters against powerful companies. One lawsuit against California’s Pacific Gas and Electric utility led to a $333 million settlement. The lawsuit against PG&E inspired the 2000 film, “Erin Brockovich.”

Girardi Claims He Suffers From Alzheimer’s Disease And Blames His CFO For The Embezzlement

Girardi’s law empire collapsed. Consequently, the California Bar revoked his law license in 2022 over client thefts.

Former clients who testified against Girardi. An Arizona woman whose husband was killed in a boat accident testified against Girardi. Other victims testified who were burned in a California 2010 gas pipeline explosion.

Girardi’s lawyers attempted to blame the thefts on his firm’s CFO Chris Kamon. Federal prosecutor charged Kamon separately. He has pleaded not guilty. Girardi’s lawyers portrayed Girardi as a mere figurehead in recent years with a valuable name.

Prosecutors played voicemails of Girardi. In the voicemails, Girardi was giving false reasons why settlements could not be paid. They included tax and debt obligations and judge authorizations. He frequently told them, “Don’t be mad at me.”

Girardi’s attorneys also had argued that he was not competent to stand trial. They alleged he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Issues with his memory had led another court to put him in a family conservatorship.

But prosecutors contended that Girardi was exaggerating his symptoms, and a judge ruled that he was competent for trial.

Girardi could get as much as 80 years in prison at his sentencing, which is scheduled for December. A judge has allowed him to remain free until then.

Girardi also faces federal wire fraud charges in Chicago. Federal authorities are also accusing him of stealing about $3 million from family members of victims of a 2018 Lion Air crash. The crash killed 189 people.