Tom Girardi Ordered to Stay in Prison While Wire Fraud Appeal Proceeds
September 25, 2025 | JacobiJournal.com — Disgraced California attorney Tom Girardi will remain behind bars as his legal team pursues an appeal of his wire fraud conviction. A federal judge ruled that Girardi failed to show the “exceptional circumstances” required for release pending appeal, citing both the seriousness of the crime and the risk of flight. The court’s decision underscores the high threshold defendants must meet to secure release after a conviction. Judges typically look for compelling health concerns, significant new evidence, or legal errors that strongly suggest a conviction might be overturned—none of which Girardi successfully demonstrated. Background on the High-Profile Conviction Once celebrated for winning massive settlements in consumer lawsuits, Tom Girardi was convicted earlier this year of stealing millions in client settlement funds. Prosecutors demonstrated that he used interstate communications and banking systems to funnel those funds into personal expenses, meeting the legal threshold for federal wire fraud. His once-glittering reputation, enhanced by a high-profile marriage and appearances on reality television, crumbled as whistleblowers and investigative journalists exposed the scale of the fraud. The revelations prompted multiple civil suits, bankruptcy proceedings, and an eventual criminal indictment that brought decades of alleged misconduct into the spotlight. Court Cites Flight Risk and Financial Danger In the September 22 order, the judge highlighted that Girardi’s past deception and access to hidden resources made him a potential flight risk. The court also emphasized the need to protect victims and ensure restitution while the appeal moves forward. Federal prosecutors argued that Tom Girardi still has the connections and financial know-how to evade authorities or hide remaining assets. Keeping him in custody, they said, prevents additional harm to the victims and preserves the integrity of ongoing restitution efforts. Appeal Faces Steep Challenges Girardi’s attorneys say they will continue to challenge the conviction, but legal experts note that overturning a federal jury verdict is notoriously difficult. The appellate process is expected to stretch well into 2026, keeping Girardi in a federal Bureau of Prisons facility during that time. Appellate courts typically focus only on whether legal errors affected the trial’s outcome, rather than re-examining facts. Without clear evidence of procedural mistakes or constitutional violations, analysts believe Girardi’s chances of success remain slim. For an authoritative overview of wire fraud laws and penalties, visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s wire fraud resource page. FAQs: About the Tom Girardi Prison Appeal Why did the judge refuse to release Tom Girardi during the appeal? The court ruled that Girardi could not show exceptional circumstances and posed a flight risk, making release inappropriate. What crimes was Tom Girardi convicted of? He was found guilty of federal wire fraud for misappropriating millions of dollars from his own clients’ settlement funds. How long could the appeal process take? Federal appeals can take many months or even years, depending on the complexity of the case and the appellate court’s schedule. What happens to restitution for Girardi’s victims? With Girardi in custody, restitution and civil claims can continue without interruption, giving victims a better chance of recovering funds. Subscribe now to JacobiJournal.com for timely updates on high-profile legal cases. Get expert analysis, courtroom developments, and exclusive insights delivered directly to your inbox. 🔎 Read More from JacobiJournal.com:
Tom Girardi Sentenced to Over 7 Years for Stealing Millions from Injured Clients
June 9, 2025 | JacobiJournal.com – Disbarred plaintiffs’ attorney Tom Girardi has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for embezzling tens of millions from clients awaiting treatment. Girardi’s fall from grace highlights a calculated betrayal of vulnerable individuals. Decade-Long Scheme: How Tom Girardi Defrauded Injured Clients From 2010 to late 2020, Girardi embezzled settlement money meant for injured clients. Instead of delivering funds, he used money to fuel his opulent lifestyle—private jets, luxury cars, jewelry, golf memberships, and millions funneled to his wife’s entertainment company. Ponzi-Style Misuse of Client Trust Funds Girardi ran his legal practice like a Ponzi scheme. After defrauding early clients, he used new settlement money to make small “stickers” of payments. He instructed staff, including co-defendant CFO Christopher Kamon, to shift funds around invalidly. Girardi also sent misleading updates, falsely citing tax issues, judge approvals, or bankruptcy concerns to avoid repayment. Conviction and Court’s Sentence A jury found Girardi guilty of four wire fraud counts in August 2024. Federal Judge Josephine L. Staton sentenced him to 87 months behind bars, ordered $2.3 million in restitution, and fined him $35,000. Girardi must report to federal custody by July 17, 2025. Additional Defendants Also Charged CFO Christopher Kamon pleaded guilty to two wire fraud counts in October 2024. On April 11, 2025, a judge sentenced him to 121 months in prison and nearly $9 million in restitution. Kamon remains in federal custody and faces additional fraud charges in Chicago alongside attorney David Lira. Collapse of a Legal Powerhouse By the end of 2020, mounting lawsuits and mounting debt forced Girardi Keese into involuntary bankruptcy. In July 2022, the State Bar of California disbarred Girardi. Today, the once-celebrated “legal legend” faces public disgrace and a lengthy prison term. Federal Investigators Praise Teamwork U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli called Girardi “a thief and a liar,” stressing the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute corrupt lawyers. IRS–Criminal Investigation and FBI agents also underscored their role in tracing financial misconduct, asserting that even prominent attorneys cannot escape justice. Federal investigators emphasized their commitment to prosecuting legal professionals who breach public trust, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Financial Fraud Division. FAQs: What crimes was Tom Girardi sentenced for? Tom Girardi was sentenced for four counts of wire fraud related to embezzling tens of millions of dollars from clients’ settlement funds. How long is Tom Girardi’s prison sentence? Girardi received an 87-month federal prison sentence, alongside $2.3 million in restitution and a $35,000 fine. What led to Tom Girardi’s disbarment? The State Bar of California disbarred Tom Girardi in 2022 following revelations of widespread client fund misappropriation, culminating in his firm’s bankruptcy. Stay updated on high-profile fraud cases and legal accountability. Subscribe to JacobiJournal.com for weekly insights on financial crime and enforcement actions. 🔎 Read More from JacobiJournal.com: