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.
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