Erika Jayne‘s estranged husband, Thomas Girardi, seems to be facing bankruptcy.
On the heels of multiple lawsuits filed against him, it is being reported that a petition for involuntary bankruptcy is being filed against the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member’s soon-to-be-ex-spouse. Plus, prosecutors begin their probe into the embezzlement claims against him as he also faces a new $500,000 lawsuit.
In a series of tweets shared by attorney Ronald Richards, a recent court hearing was chronicled.
“Breaking: The federal court who found Tom Girardi in contempt and ordered an asset freeze is having a hearing today at 3:00pm,” Ronald wrote on Wednesday, December 16.
Breaking: The federal court who found Tom Girardi in contempt and ordered an asset freeze is having a hearing today at 3:00pm. We will live tweet it. #RHBO #RHOBH We expect more clarifications and orders to come.
— Ronald Richards (@RonaldRichards) December 16, 2020
“In the current hearing, the judgment creditor indicates that an involuntary bankruptcy petition is being filed. Unsecured creditors are preparing the petition,” Ronald continued. “He represents that it will be filed in the next 48 hours.”
According to the attorney, the filing means that all of the RHOBH star’s community property will be placed into the bankruptcy estate as well as the assets of Thomas’ law firm, Girardi Keese.
“The Court recognized that the bankruptcy court and a trustee will be well equipped to deal with that. The creditors attorney also referenced Erika Jayne’s ATROS which is a state law freeze due to the divorce,” Ronald went on. “Evan Jenness told the court she advised her client to speak with insolvency counsel. The Court is going to pause this pending the filing of an involuntary bankruptcy. The asset freeze will remain in place until there is a trustee in a bankruptcy brought in.”
In the current hearing, the judgment creditor indicates that an involuntary bankruptcy petition is being filed. Unsecured creditors are preparing the petition. He represents that it will be filed in the next 48 hours. This means that all of @erikajayne's community property will
— Ronald Richards (@RonaldRichards) December 16, 2020
go to the bankruptcy estate plus the firm's assets. The Court recognized that the bankruptcy court and a trustee will be well equipped to deal with that. the creditors attorney also referenced Erika Jayne's ATROS which is a state law freeze due to the divorce. Evan Jenness
— Ronald Richards (@RonaldRichards) December 16, 2020
told the court she advised her client to speak with insolvency counsel. The Court is going to pause this pending the filing of an involuntary bankruptcy. The asset freeze will remain in place until there is a trustee in a bankruptcy brought in.
— Ronald Richards (@RonaldRichards) December 16, 2020
In a report shared by Law 360 on Wednesday after a $2 million embezzlement case against Thomas was addressed, it was revealed that a probe by prosecutors into the case had begun as prosecutors had requested access to sealed documents believed to explain how Thomas and his firm allegedly embezzled money owed to families of plane crash victims.
In other Thomas Giardi news, he’s facing another lawsuit from Veritext LLC, who claims to have provided Thomas and his firm with court reporting services.
According to documents obtained by The Blast on December 16, Veritext is accusing Thomas and his firm of breach of contract and revealing he has held a past due balance of $548,941.28 since March 2019.
The company also claims Thomas agreed to pay 18% interest on delinquent accounts.
“Defendants breached the agreement. Plaintiff competently rendered all services and provided court reporting services, as requested by Defendants … and fully complied with the terms of the agreement with Defendants. Plaintiff submitted invoices, requesting payment from Defendants. The amount sued for represents those invoices which remain unpaid by Defendants,” the documents read.
Thomas is also facing a lawsuit from his former law firm partner, Robert Keese, who sued him for $500,000 after he reportedly agreed to receive monthly checks after retiring, only to find that those checks had stopped being sent.
Amid his court drama, Thomas’ attorneys have attempted to blame his missteps on a supposed mental incompetency and requested he undergo a mental examination.
Credit: Sheri Determan/WENN/Alamy, Jeffrey Mayer/MEGA