Erika Jayne, the singer and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member, has faced three significant civil lawsuits tied to the collapse of her estranged husband Tom Girardi’s law firm. Two ended in her favor, and the largest — a $25 million bankruptcy trustee action — settled in May 2026 days before trial, for an undisclosed amount and with no admission of wrongdoing. She has never been criminally charged.
Why Erika Jayne Was Named at All
When Girardi Keese collapsed in 2020 and Jayne filed for divorce, litigants and investigators followed the money. Prosecutors in Girardi’s criminal case alleged he had diverted more than $25 million from the firm’s operating account to EJ Global LLC, a company formed for Jayne’s entertainment career.1NBC News. Tom Girardi Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison Bankruptcy filings later broke that number into roughly $14 million in American Express charges on cards issued to Jayne personally and about $11 million in vendor payments for clothing, travel, and other personal expenses between 2008 and 2020.2Los Angeles Times. Housewives Star Erika Girardi Settles $25 Million Civil Lawsuit
In depositions, Jayne testified she had “no knowledge” of her husband’s crimes and did not know the specific sources of the money flowing to her career. She acknowledged Girardi Keese paid her American Express bill each month but said she had no role in the firm’s finances.2Los Angeles Times. Housewives Star Erika Girardi Settles $25 Million Civil Lawsuit Her attorney, Evan Borges, has said throughout the litigation that Girardi and Girardi Keese controlled all accounting and that Jayne had “ZERO role” in client dealings.3Los Angeles Times. Tom Girardi Used Client Money to Fund Wife’s Entertainment Career
The $25 Million Bankruptcy Trustee Lawsuit
The biggest case was filed in August 2021 by Elissa Miller, the trustee for the involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy of Girardi Keese. In the adversary proceeding Miller v. Girardi et al. (Docket No. 22-1ap-01155, Bankr. C.D. Cal.), the trustee alleged Jayne and her companies received more than $25 million in firm funds that should have gone to creditors.4Bloomberg Law. Erika Jayne Settles $25 Million Transfer Suit in Bankruptcy Case The amended complaint also alleged that Pretty Mess Inc., a newer Jayne company, was a successor to EJ Global LLC and that both were alter egos used to move money out of the firm.5U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California. Trustee’s First Amended Complaint, Miller v. Girardi
The trustee argued that letting Jayne “walk completely free” while owing the estate $25 million would be a “miscarriage of justice,” and accused her of “feigned willful blindness.” Borges called the suit an attempt at “bullying and blaming Erika for actions taken by Girardi Keese for which Erika does not have legal liability.”6American Bankruptcy Institute. Tom Girardi’s Bankruptcy Trustee Sues Erika Jayne for $25 Million
The case ran for nearly five years. At some point the trustee sold the litigation claims to a third party. With a jury trial approaching in May 2026, the parties reached a deal. On May 21, 2026, attorneys told U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang at a final pretrial conference that the matter was resolved. Pending motions and hearing dates were vacated, and the court set a May 26 deadline for a formal dismissal request.7People. Erika Girardi Settles $25 Million Lawsuit Before Trial The plaintiff requested dismissal without prejudice.8Page Six. RHOBH Star Erika Jayne’s $25M Legal Nightmare Takes Shocking Turn Days Before Trial The settlement amount was not disclosed, and the agreement includes no admission of wrongdoing.9USA Today. Erika Jayne Girardi Lawsuit Settlement
The Attorneys’ Fees Case: Finn v. Girardi
Attorneys Philip R. Sheldon and Robert P. Finn sued Girardi, Girardi Keese, and Jayne in Los Angeles Superior Court in December 2020, saying the firm had failed to pay them roughly $900,000 in shared fees from a $31 million toxic chemical settlement. Jayne was included on a theory that she aided and abetted her husband’s breach of fiduciary duty.10Patch. Erika Jayne Formally Dismissed From Attorneys Fees Dispute Suit
On August 29, 2022, Judge Richard L. Fruin granted Jayne’s motion for summary judgment, finding it undisputed that she had no actual knowledge of any breach and that no fiduciary relationship existed between co-counsel that would implicate her. He signed the formal judgment on September 16, 2022, and the plaintiffs voluntarily dropped their claims against EJ Global LLC the day before.10Patch. Erika Jayne Formally Dismissed From Attorneys Fees Dispute Suit11Audacy. Erika Jayne Formally Dismissed From Attorneys Fees Suit
Finn appealed. On January 28, 2025, the California Court of Appeal (Second Appellate District, Division Five) affirmed in Finn v. Girardi, Case No. B324878. Acting Presiding Justice Lamar Baker wrote that an aiding-and-abetting claim requires proof the defendant had actual knowledge of the specific breach at issue, and that the plaintiff had conceded Jayne was unaware of the underlying litigation or the parties’ relationship. The court rejected the argument that Jayne’s lifestyle worked as circumstantial evidence of knowledge, holding that even if it suggested general financial impropriety, that did not establish awareness of the particular breach owed to this particular plaintiff.12Metropolitan News-Enterprise. Finn v. Girardi Appellate Ruling
The Edelson PC Lion Air Case
In December 2020, the Chicago firm Edelson PC filed a federal lawsuit in Illinois for families of passengers killed in the 2018 Lion Air Flight 610 crash. It named Girardi and Jayne, alleging they had embezzled $2 million in settlement funds and that their divorce was a sham to shield assets.13Reuters. Law Firm Says Erika Jayne Girardi Case to Shift to California
On January 29, 2022, Jayne and EJ Global LLC were dismissed from the Illinois case without prejudice and without costs.14E! Online. Erika Jayne Dismissed From Fraud and Embezzlement Lawsuit Against Tom Girardi in Illinois The dismissal was procedural, not a ruling on the merits. Founder Jay Edelson said the move was made to avoid jurisdictional fights and that claims would be refiled in California, where Jayne and EJ Global were based.13Reuters. Law Firm Says Erika Jayne Girardi Case to Shift to California Borges said his client was “completely innocent and never received any of the Boeing client funds.”
Edelson refiled in California in April 2022, bringing claims that included conspiracy to commit racketeering (RICO) and receipt of stolen property in the Northern District of California.15Courthouse News Service. Edelson Proposed Lawsuit Against Erika Girardi The outcome or current status of that refiled case does not appear in available records.
Where Things Stand
As of mid-2026, the $25 million bankruptcy trustee suit is settled and headed toward formal dismissal, with no disclosed amount and no admission of wrongdoing. Finn v. Girardi ended in Jayne’s favor after the January 2025 appellate ruling. The Edelson Lion Air matter was dismissed from Illinois in early 2022 and refiled in California, and no public outcome of the refiled action appears in available records. Jayne has not been criminally charged in connection with any matter arising from Girardi Keese’s collapse.7People. Erika Girardi Settles $25 Million Lawsuit Before Trial