Hospitalized last night: Tom Girardi ahead of mental assessment court date
The Lowdown on Thomas Girardi's Legal Saga
Thomas Girardi, the convicted lawyer, once a prominent figure in Los Angeles' legal and political circles, finds himself in a new predicament. Currently hospitalized, Girardi cannot attend a scheduled hearing that could decide his fate - either a prison sentence or a medical facility.
A filing by his defense attorneys revealed Girardi's hospitalization, requesting a one to two-week postponement of the hearing. The 88-year-old lawyer was admitted due to "liver dysfunction," according to the filing from Deputy Federal Public Defenders Samuel Cross and Charles Snyder.
Girardi's team insisted he wished to be present for the hearing, arguing that his absence would infringe on his rights. Yet, U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton has yet to make a decision regarding the postponement.
This health setback adds to the twists and turns in the Girardi saga. Last summer, during his trial, prosecutors accused Girardi Keese law firm of operating as a Ponzi-like scheme that siphoned off up to $100 million in client funds for various purposes, including funding the lifestyle and music career of his wife, Erika Girardi, star of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." Jurors convicted Girardi of four counts of wire fraud.
Initially slated for a December 2024 sentencing, Girardi's lawyers argued for deferment due to his alleged dementia and cognitive decline. To determine his mental fitness, a judge ordered a medical evaluation at a federal prison in Butner, N.C. The experts there concluded Girardi did not necessitate special treatment. However, a forensic psychologist and a neuropsychologist, who evaluated him, argued that Girardi can be securely and appropriately imprisoned within the federal prison system, even without specialized medical facilities [1][4].
During the postponed hearing, these experts were expected to testify about Girardi's mental status and the basis for their conclusions while facing cross-examination from Girardi's legal team who continue to push for him to serve his sentence in a medical facility [1].
Last month, Christopher Kamon, Girardi's former CFO, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the large-scale fraud. Both Girardi and Kamon face additional federal charges in Chicago over the misappropriation of millions of dollars in settlements for families of plane crash victims [1][2][3]. The trial for these charges is scheduled for July 14, 2025.
Further Reading * Thomas Girardi and Christopher Kamon face federal charges in Chicago over misappropriated funds. Source * Disciplinary charges filed against Girardi's underling for a $53-million payout kept secret from clients. Source * Girardi surrenders to federal prison for medical evaluation. Source
Major Takeaway:Thomas Girardi, despite facing federal charges in Chicago for the misappropriation of millions in plane crash victim settlements, has not yet been sentenced. The hospitalized lawyer will undergo a hearing to determine his fate, with trial proceedings for the Chicago case scheduled for mid-2025. His mental fitness and imprisonment conditions remain a point of contention, with disputes ongoing in court. [1][2][3][4]
[1] "Tom Girardi underling faces discipline charges over $53-million payout kept secret from clients" - Los Angeles Times[2] "Tom Girardi to surrender to federal prison for medical evaluation, judge rules" - Los Angeles Times[3] "Girardi's ex-CFO sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding clients" - Los Angeles Times[4] "Defense team disputes report on Thomas Girardi's medical status" - Los Angeles Times
- Thomas Girardi's legal troubles have expanded beyond Los Angeles, as he and his former CFO, Christopher Kamon, face federal charges in California related to misappropriated funds in Chicago.
- The health-and-wellness and mental-health concerns of aging lawyer Thomas Girardi are not only a defining aspect of his legal saga but also a key point of contention in his upcoming hearing in Los Angeles.
- The chronic case of Thomas Girardi, a once influential lawyer in Los Angeles, has taken a turn as his poor health complicates matters, potentially impacting his sentencing in general-news and crime-and-justice sectors.
- Despite being convicted for wire fraud, Thomas Girardi's criminal case in Los Angeles has seen numerous twists and turns, intertwining with politics, law, science, health-and-wellness, mental-health, and music, reflecting the complexity of modern societal issues.
