Erika Girardi’s situation continues to worsen. Yesterday, Ronald Richards filed another complaint against Erika Girardi on behalf of the trustee hired to located assets allegedly mishandled by Tom Girardi. This filing covers the years 2008 to present. The thrust of the filing appears to be that Erika was complicit in spending the money Tom Girardi misappropriated from numerous victims, widows and orphans. I’ll hit some of the highlights and attach the filing at the end of this post. In the latest RHOBH recap I added a 152 page filing regarding Tom in comments. This filing is a mere 52 pages. 🙂
A Disturbing Ugly Mess
Remember how I kept asking why Erika Jayne needed so many LLCs? That was a big red flag to me. Especially, because she opened the more recent one after filing for divorce. EJ Global is an LLC that was formed by Erika in 2008. She is the sole owner of the LLC and the sole member. It’s all hers. In 2021 she opened a new LLC (despite not knowing how banks works, I guess), Pretty Mess LLC. This was the first couple of paragraphs of the filing and guess whose name immediately comes up in the filing? Lisa Rinna. Lisa Rinna, according to the document, recommended her business manager to set up Pretty Mess. I believe this is where the strange rumor about Erika investing $5 million dollars in Rinna’s lip line comes into play. I have seen no evidence that even happened.
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The complaint states clearly that Pretty Mess was set up to be the new EJ Global in order for Erika Girardi to avoid personal accountability for all the ill-gotten gains funneled by Tom into EJ Global. Erika claims that she is not responsible for the money in EJ Global because it didn’t come to her directly through Tom. That is not how things work. Between 2012 and 2021, Erika received $242,658 (via EJ Global and Pretty Mess) from the California Lottery. That money was from a previous settlement that Tom got for a crazy class action lawsuits from lottery players that sued the lottery for unfair practices or something. It’s been a while since I read about that.
Erika Girardi Clearly Did Not Win The Lottery
The point is that just like the other plaintiffs, the settlements all seemed to wind up in Tom and Erika’s pockets. In the case of the Lottery money, somehow Erika Girardi filed documents listing herself as a beneficiary of the settlement. The document goes on to claim Erika received nearly $26 million in settlement money through her LLCs and an Amex card provided by Girardi Keese.
Richards states in yesterday’s filing, “Her feigned willful blindness and ostrich approach to these expenditures will do absolutely nothing to limit her liability.” Richards mentions her taxes a lot. That is where the criminal charges could arise from. It’s always the IRS that gets you. They want their money.
My gawd, Erika has acted in such a brazen manner for so long. She really thought she got away with it. It’s remarkable to see her point fingers all over the place when so much of this evidence has been hiding in plain sight.
And why on earth did Lisa Rinna want to jump into this when she has her own “financial issues” that are suddenly in the spotlight? For someone who once bragged about “owning it”, she has her own not-so-pretty mess on her hands.
All of this.
What financial problems does Rinna have?
She is being sued. She also has a 3 and a half million dollar mortgage on the house Harry bought in 1987 for 1,123,000. This is their current home. Clearly she lives above her means. That house is only worth around 4 million. Harry is 69 years old. How she gonna pay that off?
I am not aware of any lawsuits against Lisa Rinna. Ron Richards simply wants to deposition her.
She’s being sued for $1.2 M for copyright infringement over some pics she used.
Oh that will never go anywhere. I hate when photogs snap photos of celebs and then sue the celebs for posting their own likeness. That should be illegal. ESPECIALLY when they do it to small children. Vultures, all of them.
Especially after he runs off with his boyfriend. 😂😂😂
Who? Certainly not HH.
😂😂😂
Lisa could sell the Muskoka camp and be out of debt. Harry comes from old money.
For some reason the $3.5 million dollar house that Harry Hamlin owns has a $3.45 million dollar mortgage. This is baffling for many reasons, Harry had the house built 35 years ago. He has been steadily employed in the decades since he built the house.
Why does he owe nearly as much on the house as it is worth? Why isn’t the house paid off? Harry had the house prior to marrying Rinna. Even if he had to pay off the ex-wife because they built the house together his income alone should have been able to pay off the house many times over instead of re-mortgaging it. That doesn’t even take into consideration Lisa Rinna has also been gainfully employed since they got married 24 years ago, she could have contributed to paying off the house.
I think people assume debt equal financial problems because the house is mortgaged to the hilt. Rinna made Ron Richards mad due to her support of Erika so he did what he called a shallow dive into the Hamlin/Rinna finances.
I feel like RIGHT NOW, Rinna has more cash flow than Harry. Harry has been doing all sorts of things with the houses. I could see him taking out another mortgage to cover the costs of his gardens and pools and upgrading cars and stuff. It’s his house, his asset. Or something. I dunno. I love Harry and Rinna. Rinna running her mouth this season and siding with Erika is not a good look for her and could cause problems on the show, but also in her marriage. IJS.
Also, it’s his asset to mortgage. And if he can get a 3.5 million dollar mortgage or whatever it is, he has the credit line to do so. I think Ron making a big deal of out of that is just because he is coming for Rinna. You know, the kind of thing that Sutton is trying to avoid.
Yes, I get Sutton’s point. Erika is a coworker. She has not known Erika long. Sutton seems to have a good solid reputation from all of her charity work. She had a good point about Bernie Madoff’s wife and how people do shy away from this kind of very public criminal activity. Sutton seems intelligent. Erika seems to think she is, but is going to trip herself…looking like she already has.
Erika even referred to herself as “radioactive,” so of course some of the women are going to be concerned with the impact it will have on their lives.
MsCarly, about the mortgage on Harry Hamlin’s house: It is possible he/they took out a mortgage because mortgage interest rates have been so low recently, and so it makes financial sense to take the money out of the house and invest it. If their mortgage is less than 3%, and they invest the $3+ million in the stock market and make 8 or 9%, they are coming out way ahead.
Also, I would like to add, having equity in your home or having it paid off doesn’t necessarily make financial sense for everyone. Taking the equity is siimply taking your house profit now rather than later when it gets sold. If you are in any sort of position where you might be subject to lawsuits a financial advisor will actively encourage you not to have equity in your house.
All I hear in her annoying nasal voice this season saying “I’d like to know where the money went”…please. Clearly Tom didn’t have an eye for talent either. He dumped all his stolen money in her performance crap. She is way more complicit than she ever let on. Maybe she isn’t just the Housewife…she might be the brains behind the entire hustle.
I agree 100%!
No offence to those who don’t like the word but Tom and Erica are grasping, nasty cahunts. They literally stole from those who had awful tragedies. Erica coming out and saying I didn’t know… her book clearly states she DID know and she paid TAXES on that money. I’d have less nasty feelings to her if she actually acted like an empathetic human being. It would have taken nothing for her to say, I had no idea this was happening and I will assist those who are trying to get the victims paid. Instead of being all, I’m a fecking Ice Queen who’s not bothered. I stopped watching RHOBH after her first season. Nothing but a false af grifter.
150%. I agree with you completely. I only respect Sutton and Garcelle currently – they totally understand what’s going on and who Erika is. A shallow grifter and total boring bitch.
My favorite line, “ The glam cannot be supported by a sham.”
Same!
This attorney has a way with words, doesn’t he?
👍🏻
The Rinna connection coming out is hilarious. I’ll bet her business manager isn’t too thrilled with her right now. Sutton was right to worry about being dragged into the mess because of her work relationship with EJ. They aren’t friends — they’re co-workers so the people who have been criticizing Sutton for not standing up for her “friend” need to back off and put things in perspective. I hope the IRS does charge Erika. That haughty attitude she’s had from the beginning made her thoroughly unlikable — I’m enjoying watching the mighty fall. Thanks for the info, Tamara. I’m going to pop some popcorn and read the full report.
Federal income tax was held from the lottery payments made to her. The payments did not belong to her. So She will need to pay back the taxes too!
LOL def a popcorn read.😊
Rinna would have been salivating about this. Pretty obvious that she wasn’t and the only way she shuts up is so attention is off her. Gosh, when someone acts so different, they have a reason.
I would not be surprised by money invested in her lip gloss. $5 million is a big chunk. And Lisa is not Kylie Jenner, even though her daughter is dating Scott Disick.
Do we know if her lip gloss is successful?
Don’t know. But why would anyone buy lip gloss from a woman who’s lips looks as cartoonish as Lisa Rinna’s?I don’t think she is a good advertisement for such a product.
And they are implanted, so not going to be replicated by lip gloss.
And I thought she said she would not have had them surgically done it she could do it over.
Ummmm. Hmmmmm.
23 years ago she had silicone injected.
(I have not been aware of her getting them undone. Ewww, silicone injected lips sounds awful)
I have silicone in my lips. My lips look like normal lips, not huge and misshapen. My lips would be skinny little lines without it. Had it done twice, once in 2001, and again in 2008. One of the best investments I ever made.
The Lisa Rinna makeup line connection was like a bad, drunken game of telephone. Thank you for clarifying because none of it made sense! I’ve been reading this site for years and I’m glad to know this is where to find the truth. Thank you!
I agree 100%. This post clarifies everything for me. I get it now.
Scammers both of them. They need to lock her up for contempt of court.
Why? She has not violated a court order. That would be the only reason to hold her in contempt. Also, people don’t really get locked up for contempt of court. There would be sanctions. There are no criminal charges against her so prison/jail is not at issue.
Imagine if all debtors went to prison then they would be jam packed with people who have defaulted on their credit cards and/or filled for bankruptcy.
Ahe clearly is not cooperating in good faith in turning over her paperwork, files and anything requested. They have to drag it all out of her. The innocent have nothing to hide but this grifter….
People get locked up for contempt of court all the time! I’ve seen it happen for a cell phone going of in court!
True.
Holy hell.
I got kicked out of court once by a bailiff that was a little too proud of havkng power over someone else. Not related exactly, but court is perhaps the least fair place I have ever been, contrary to its image
If Erika goes to Club Fed it will be for Tax Evasion, and/or embezzlement, a variety of frauds, money laundering. There are many possible crimes that Erika may have committed. Why would you think Erika was in debt?
Erika is another #GriftersByBravo
I really enjoy your felons by Bravo. Now I’m going to go read it. Thank you!
Erika goes from 0 to 100 easily and can’t be talked off the ledge. She is duplicitious and unstable. Can I add manipulative, mean-spirited, self-serving? Check, check and check. When she was screaming at Sutton for the upcoming episode, she looked like a rabid dog. It reminded me of when she did the same thing to Eileen when something was said about her son. Erika’s time on the Real Housewives has been not only a money grab, but also an attention grab.
At least on RHOBH she has gotten to have what probably are her first friends ever, even if they are sort of paid for.
I can’t see her ever having a genuine friend. People like her rarely do.
Whew Chile, this is some piping hot ☕ and worthy of the Purple Pen! 😂
And now they have released unseen footage of RHBH. Somehow part of the scene where they were all meeting to discuss Erika’s problems was cut out of the nationally broadcast episode. Sutton offered (before she knew about Erika’s thievery) to lend Erika money to help her through the beginning of her separation. Why was Erika so vicious towards Sutton after Sutton offered to help her?
Erika is evil.
Rinna is a joke.
Dorit is a two faced bitch.
Denise Richards must feel vindicated. Thank god she got away from these women.
Thank god for Garcelle, Sutton and Kathy.
Maybe because Sutton is a fair weather “friend” and it sucks/hurts to find out your friends will abandon you when the chips are down and when nothing has been conclusively established in court.
Sutton didn’t abandon her. She consulted an attorney to get a legal opinion about this serious lawsuit. Erika attacked her without hearing Sutton out.
Ask Lisa Rinna how things are working out for her being associated with Erika. Sutton is the kind of friend that offered to help Erika out financially as soon as she found out about the divorce. Sutton is also capable of reading a breakdown of the allegations that is longer than three sentences and decided to distance herself to protect her status and reputation in polite society and to shield her charities from being connected to fraudulent activity. The mere allegations of her spending millions of dollars meant for widows and orphans is enough for someone of her stature to take several steps back. What’s Rinna gonna lose? Well, that remains to be seen.
And as was mentioned above, they’re not even really friends. They’re co-workers. Anyone Bravo chooses to hire does not automatically make them real friends. They have no choice but to hang out when filming. Sutton doesn’t or Erica a drop of loyalty imo.
*owe
Like someone wrote earlier , there not really friends they just work together
(1) This is not another complaint. This is an amended complaint, meaning Richards edited the original complaint to include new allegations–hence AMENDED. (2) Erika cannot file anything in court, she’s not an attorney. The decision to add her as a payee was made by the parties to the settlement and their lawyers and note APPROVED by a judge.
The lottery payments directed to Erika appear to be for attorney’s fees owed to GK not client funds (i.e. not client’s settlement money but money owed to GK for attorney’s fees). If GK assigned its fees to Erika–then maybe take it up with GK (i.e. Tom).
The lottery payments are legal fees owed to the law firm, not to the wife of a lawyer in the law firm. She signed the paperwork so she needs to return money to rightful owner, the law firm. The legal fees can not be paid to a non lawyers.
Bess, it is in fact another complaint. Perhaps you would have preferred the term another document. I really don’t care about your preferences. I also referenced where I previous posted the 151 page link to the original complaint on this very site.
The lottery situation is what could land Erika a bed a Club Fed if the IRS doesn’t get her first. Had you read either the first document or the amended (second document) you would be aware that Erika and SOLELY Erika filed and signed and swore to falsified information regarding the lottery funds. That was all Erika NOT TOM. So it makes no difference if she took the money from the winnings themselves or from GK. The bankruptcy trustee wants it for Girardi Keese, but that doesn’t mean it came from their legal fees. It was directly sent to her just as it was sent to the proper recipients. It continued to be sent to her and the proper recipients as recently as this year.
Your statement about Erika not being able to file because she is not an attorney is absurd. As Ron says in the second document “Erika continues to file frivolous appeals” etc. The fact that she does this through her (clearly shitty) attorneys is assumed.
Now Have a SEAT.
I also forgot to mention in the whole weird lottery thing, Tom’s Daughter was also sent money from the California Lottery as well. This will open her up to investigation as well.
Wow… brazen fraud by the sound of things.
None of that matters. If you receive any funds that are not legally yours, you have to repay that money even if you don’t know it was stolen. Erika should have cooperated with authorities.She would have appeared more sympathetic. She screwed herself because they are never going to leave her alone now. Her lawyers are shitty.
I think the problem lies with Erika and not her attorneys. They already petitioned to court to allow them to drop the case allegedly because of her lack of cooperation. Magically they changed their minds and petitioned to court to return. She probably called Tom or one of his friends who applied some pressure. It’s hard to represent a client who is not forthcoming with information. ALLEDGEDLY.
Usually when attorneys try to pull out as hers did, it is because they havent been paid. They got paid and magically were back on board.
Apparently, she has paid the $600,000 already. Don’t quote me on that I have been drinking and it is late. But IIRC Ron wants to know exactly how she is paying that bill. Again. This may or may not be true because my mind can’t be trusted at the moment… Lots of things I am trying to deal with over here. (not Banjo, he is rallying)
Can you copyright #felonsbybravo? 😂
Yes! We need tshirts!!!
Not shirts, hats!
no, we don’t want baseball cap hats. then we’d look like multiple bernie madoffs wearing “felons by bravo” logos.
so rinna using/borrowing/investing erika’s funds would need to repay the invested funds. rinna must be stunned. and should have used her own money.
Well I want a shirt anyway. Felons by Bravo and Tamara Tattles. One on front one on back or something like that. I would love that.
That makes two of us!!!
Ronald Richards
@RonaldRichards
·
18m
We will not be intimidated by threats, name calling, and coordinated efforts to stop our investigation and the prosecution of our complaint. The days of attorneys looking the other way because a “Girardi” is on the target list ARE OVER. We are not afraid of you. #GIRARDIFRAUD
On his Twitter feed, he has posted some actual Amex bills!
Yes. And that might be a bridge too far. However, there are all of those and more in the links to his filings. So it is officially public record.
It’s a lot for sure! Ouch!
I thought Lea Black’s take on this was very interesting. She got killed on Twitter for it, but she said the same thing on her most recent podcast.
Unlike the other morons defending Erika, Lea Black doesn’t give a shit about Bravo, and is actually married to a fancy lawyer — and she seemed to feel bad for the victims.
Lea said that she would have no idea if her husband was doing the same thing. She’d sign whatever paper. There were no problems with the bar or anyone, so how was Erika supposed to know? She’s just an actress on reality TV. How is she supposed to know there are shady multi-million dollar dealings in a massive lawfirm? The law firm is supposed to handle your legal stuff.
I love Lea and had no idea she had a podcast. We chat on Twitter all the time. Not about Bravo stuff, mostly politics. I am sure Lea signed a lot of things without reading them. But she didn’t do all the things that Erika did all by herself. Erika initiated a lot of allegedly illegal things. I can see Lea giving Erika the benefit of the doubt. They have similar marriages. Lea lives in LA now, at least most of the year and I believe Roy still spends the majority of the time in Miami. Lea has legit businesses and always has. She’d be just fine without Roy’s money. Erika will not. I’m sure Lea will put some money on Erika’s books at Club Fed if she gets a stay there.
Her point is not bad. If the bar and the state and all these people and even the victims didn’t know there was a problem, how the hell would she?
The bar, and the state and “all these people” were being flown around on private jets and going to concerts and events that he paid for. Were being wined and dined with money that belonged to the victims. Allegedly. This was all going on for DECADES. People who were benefiting from Tom’s ill gotten gains weren’t exactly looking to see if he was a piece of shit. EVERYONE thought of him as the guy who took care of the little people and he had a very good reputation. Because he bought one.
How should Erika have known? Well, you need to read some court documents or at the very least some of my posts about them. She was complicit. She is way worse off than Tom.
Just think for a moment if you were married to a man for 21 one years and it came out that he was stealing all of the money he earned for true victims to buy you Cartier jewelry and and giving you an unlimited Amex card and you DIDN’T KNOW!
Would you react like Erika who has never once shown any compassion for the victims? Would you start LITERALLY SNARLING (see next week’s episode) at people who ask about it?
Or would you cry and be so regretful that you have been spending money for hair and makeup that belonged to burn victims??? She has not one time every said anything about the victims of his horrendous crimes.OTHER THAN TO MOCK THEM ON TWITTER. NOT ONE OUNCE OF COMPASSION.
And you think she didn’t know?
She’s not going to say she’s sorry now. Her position, factual or not, is that she had no idea.
You can see that even the victims had no idea for a long time in the “documentary,” and that’s recent.
Lea black is right. Where are the money people from the firm? And where the hell is the bar? If this was really a long term thing (not what the “documentary” presented) why did all of this take so long???
My point is if she had no idea, she should be DEVASTED and FEEL COMPASSION for the victims NOW THAT SHE KNOWS. Instead she is mocking the entire situation on IG and wanting sympathy. She doesn’t have any real friends, so she should at least be crying to her castmates about how disgusted she about the whole situation. The tragedy of the victims. But NOPE.
And if you read the legal documents instead of whatever my friend Lea says (according to you) publicly, you might learn some real facts rather than Lea’s public opinion according to you. IJS.
This is why, I truly believe Sheree will regret returning to RHOA. She does alot of the same with hiding income through LLC’s to avoid paying her debts and settling judgements.
Absolutely. But she has gotten away with going through a loan-out corp for years (that’s a bit different from an LLC). I can’t stand Sheree for personal reasons. https://tamaratattles.com/?s=Sheree+Whitfield+Court You’ll have to scroll way way back to see our encounters in court, but it was hysterical. Then just keep scrolling up to see all the other posts of her in court with half the world. It could be a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon. lol.
“Club Fed” is for criminals who still have money. Do you really think Erika will come out of this smelling like a rose with a big book (deal) she can write in prison like the Wolf of Wallstreet?
FOR THE LIFE FO ME….I do not understand why she came back this season. She was already going down and this additional footage the court now has from this season just makes it easier for them. On some level, I gotta believe she thought she was going to bluff her way out of this, but instead she’s become more firmly entangled in her own lies. Sad. Not for her, but for the victims. They will NEVER see most of their money.
I just read Tom’s firm is sueing Erika for $25 million. How long until Erika sets up a Go Fund Me account?
So you read this post then! Congrats!
There was an episode where Erika claimed her mother was so tough on her growing up. Even at the age of 5, her mother made her cash her own cheques.
Seems like she would know how to go into a bank.
You would think. LOL. Plus she moved herself to NYC when she was 19 got a place to live and a job. Then got married and had a kid. I don’t think it is possible to do that without knowing how banks work.
Why is she getting checks at age 5? Maybe her birthday ? Then she kept the cash and spent it at age 5 with no help?
Not knowing how a bank works is actually kind of funny for someone who was a riddle wrapped in cash
In one episode she related that money she received from doing commercials (that she allegedly did as a child) and any other earnings her mother made her go into the bank BY HERSELF and cash/complete the transaction. Of course she knows how to cash/deposit a check, transfer money, etc. Remember, “It’s expensive to be her!”?!
Holy cow! It just came to me. I mean duh 🙄. I think Bravo is actually part of the FBI, IRS, or other investigative entity that rounds up thieves and other criminals . It’s the only explanation I can think of that makes any sense. It’s been super successful too.
Lol, right?!
Probably none of this stealing of clients funds/awards would have ever come to light had Erika Jayne not been on RHOBH! The Bravo platform gave her and Tom G much exposure! Shame on Bravo who keeps employing these criminals for the sake of ratings! Hopefully, they will find/recover/sell items and get whatever monies are left for the poor victims. Funny how Lisa R is soo understanding of EJ and finds her innocent til proven otherwise. She certainly didn’t take that stance w/so many other Bravo co-stars – LVP, Denise R, Kim R, Yolanda to name a few!! There’s definitely something between Lisa R and Erika J!!! Love Sutton and Garcelle for taking a stand!!
I used to work for divorce attorneys who handled “complex cases,” which is code for cases with wealthy clients. Any attorney worth his or her bar license would have told Erika to NOT DO THIS SHOW. That she did it anyway is on her, and she will reap the consequences.