Celebrity ex-lawyer Tom Girardi found guilty of stealing from clients: ‘Robin-Hood-in-reverse’
nypost.comaccused of deceiving his clients and pilfering from settlement funds they had obtained in personal injury cases.“Tom Girardi built celebrity status and lured in victims by falsely portraying himself as a ‘Champion of Justice,'” US Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement. “In reality, he was a Robin-Hood-in-reverse, stealing from the needy” to support a “lavish, Hollywood lifestyle.”Girardi’s federal public defenders did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Girardi blamed the alleged fraud on Christopher Kamon, the former chief financial officer of their law firm Girardi Keese.
Girardi’s lawyers have also argued that he suffers from dementia.Girardi is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 6. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count, prosecutors said.Kamon was charged with wire fraud in Los Angeles alongside Girardi but will be tried separately in January.
Kamon is also facing separate charges that he embezzled $10 million from Girardi Keese, which he then allegedly spent on extensive home remodeling, exotic sports cars and an escort.
Kamon has pleaded not guilty to all charges.Girardi was a prominent figure in the US plaintiffs bar before allegations that he defrauded clients upended his career in 2020 and cost him his law license.
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