Erika Jayne Left 'Emotionally Destroyed' After Estranged Husband's 7-Year Prison Sentence For Wire Fraud
The former attorney was sentenced to over seven years in prison for his crimes, despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in March 2021.
Tom Gerardi and Erika Jayne remain legally married, although the reality star filed for divorce in November 2020 after 21 years of marriage.
After being found guilty of four counts of wire fraud in August 2024, it was only a matter of time before disgraced attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced for his crimes.
That sentence was recently handed down, consisting of 87 months in prison and an order to pay a $35,000 fine, along with $2,310,247 in restitution.
In the wake of the sentencing, an attorney representing Girardi's estranged wife, Erika Jayne, has revealed how the reality star feels about the situation.
"Erika spent many years with Tom; she is experiencing a wave of emotions," said the attorney, Jim Wilkes, about his client, per The U.S. Sun. "I'm sure she's emotionally destroyed, but there's a part of her that's shut off and compartmentalized."
He added, "If someone you loved and trusted, and everyone else told you to trust, broke every bit of trust you had in them and didn't even tell you, covered it up, how would you feel?"
Amid Girardi's legal troubles, he was diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer's in 2021.
His health struggles later led to him being placed under a conservatorship by his younger brother, Robert, that same year.
At the time the illness became known, some of Girardi's victims doubted its legitimacy, even going so far as to file a motion opposing the conservatorship appointment.
Ultimately, Girardi was found competent to stand trial, but doubts still remained about whether he is genuinely ill.
Now, Wilkes, Jayne's lawyer, who had a professional relationship with Girardi prior to his arrest, says he believes Girardi is genuinely suffering from dementia.
However, he is also of the opinion that the octogenarian deserves to be held accountable for his actions.
"He's been charged and sentenced to prison, that's what happens to people who do this," he said. "Am I happy about it? No. I'm not happy to see anyone suffer."
"But Tom was a prominent figure, and he did some stupid stuff; he deserves to be punished for what he did," the lawyer added. "You have to deal with the consequences, the system is not perfect, but I'm sure he'll be in minimum security as he's no threat, but prison is still prison."
The four wire fraud charges against Girardi stem from accusations that he allegedly embezzled settlement proceeds meant for the surviving family members of those who lost their lives in the tragic crash of Lion Air Flight 610.
At the time the claim was filed, it was stated that the former personal injury attorney had lavishly spent the money to fund his and his estranged wife Jayne's Beverly Hills lifestyle.
The amount in question was believed to be at least $15 million in settlement funds from four clients.
Now that he has been sentenced, Girardi is required to surrender to federal authorities on or before July 17, as stated in the judge's ruling.
However, it remains unclear where he will serve his sentence, although the judge ruled it will be in a federal prison.
After Girardi was found guilty of the wire fraud charges, prosecuting attorney Bill Essayli ripped into him in a statement to the press.
"This self-proclaimed 'champion of justice' was nothing more than a thief and a liar who conned his vulnerable clients out of millions of dollars," he said, adding that he intends to prosecute dubious lawyers like Girardi and their cronies.
Meanwhile, IRS special agent Tyler Hatcher, who assisted with the investigation, claimed the jury's decision will serve as a salve for victims of the disgraced lawyer.
"This sentencing brings a level of recompense for countless victims of Mr. Girardi's long-running scheme to enrich himself on the backs of clients who trusted him in some of their worst days," he said, per The U.S. Sun.
Hatcher added, "This sentencing [also] demonstrates criminals cannot evade the unrivaled acumen of IRS-CI special agents in following the money, as well as the effectiveness of our partnerships with fellow law enforcement organizations like the FBI."
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For visitors like Mario, who has dementia, and his wife, the scenes and artifacts from funny shows and comedians have a way of triggering shared laughs and connection, and, as comedy center staff have found, memories. Gail, 78, treasures the moments when Mario — who still vividly recalls his childhood route to school and the names of old friends — also recollects experiences from their shared life. A 1965 blind date after Mario got out of the Navy led to seven children, 24 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, careers and moves. However, memories made over a lifetime together have become increasingly elusive over the past several years, since about the time Mario started to get lost driving and forget whether he likes a particular food. At a recent memory cafe, the Cirasundas, from suburban Buffalo, and others spent the morning walking through the museum that was inspired by 'I Love Lucy' star Lucille Ball in her hometown of Jamestown. 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