Erika Jayne is reportedly feeling relieved after turning over the $750,000 earrings her estranged husband Thomas Girardi gifted her in 2007.
Although the jewelry, which was considered “stolen property,” had “sentimental” value for the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, she’s glad she can officially move forward from the back and forth as she continues to face a number of lawsuits as a result of her former spouse’s crimes against past clients.
“It wasn’t easy for [Erika] to part ways with something that was sentimental to her, but she knows she needed to do it and she complied,” an insider close to RHOBH production told PEOPLE on July 6.
According to the report, Erika actually gave up her earrings “months ago.” However, the source shared, “now that the ruling has happened, she’s somewhat relieved a decision has been made and she can officially focus on moving on.”
“She honestly just wants all of this behind her and will do whatever is necessary to do so. She is doing the best she can to move forward with her life,” the insider continued.
After Erika turned her earrings over to a third party earlier this year, a judge ruled last week that although the earrings were a gift from Thomas to then-wife Erika, they were legally considered “stolen property.”
As fans will recall, both Thomas and Erika have been accused of embezzling money from his former clients in an effort to sustain their luxurious lifestyle. And when it came to the earrings, they were believed to have been purchased with ex-clients’ money.
While Erika hopes to move on from the earring debacle, she and her estranged hubby, who was diagnosed with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease and placed under a permanent conservatorship, continue to battle back against the many lawsuits against them, which include a $25 million case against Erika that was filed by the trustee presiding over Thomas’ bankruptcy.
Last month, during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Erika admitted to feeling “dehumanized” by fans who may not completely understand her legal situation.
“It’s not a good place to be, and I feel like the court of public opinion is also hard to navigate because people don’t have all of the facts, and they tend to gravitate towards sensationalized headlines,” Erika explained. “I think people have sort of dehumanized me into this place.”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 12 airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.