Context:

Tom Girardi, a former high-profile celebrity lawyer, received a seven-year and three-month prison sentence for embezzling tens of millions of dollars from clients, some of whom had suffered severe physical injuries or lost family members in accidents. Alongside the prison time, U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton ordered him to pay a $35,000 fine and $2.3 million in restitution. Girardi, who was once a prominent lawyer known for winning a $333 million settlement against Pacific Gas and Electric, was found guilty of four counts of wire fraud, facing up to 80 years in prison. Despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he was deemed mentally competent for trial and sentencing, and he must surrender by July 17. His conviction was supported by testimonies from former clients, including victims of disasters, who were defrauded by Girardi through deceptive voicemails and excuses for non-payment of awarded funds.

Dive Deeper:

• Tom Girardi, once a renowned lawyer featured on 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills', was sentenced to over seven years in prison for embezzling tens of millions from his clients, including those with severe injuries and families of deceased accident victims.

• The court also imposed financial penalties on Girardi, mandating a $35,000 fine and $2.3 million in restitution to his defrauded clients, following his conviction on four counts of wire fraud.

• Despite facing a potential 80-year sentence, Girardi received a reduced term due to his age and health conditions, although he was found mentally competent to face trial and sentencing.

• Girardi's legal career included significant victories, such as a $333 million settlement in a case against Pacific Gas and Electric, a success that was dramatized in the film 'Erin Brockovich'.

• His downfall began with multiple client thefts leading to his disbarment in 2022, and his estrangement from reality TV star Erika Jayne, further compounded by his Alzheimer's diagnosis.

• The sentencing followed testimonies from former clients, including those affected by a 2010 gas pipeline explosion and a boating accident, who provided evidence of his deceitful practices.

• Girardi's method of defrauding clients involved misleading them about the reasons for delayed payments, often citing false tax obligations, debt requirements, and fictitious judge approvals.