Attorneys Are ‘Trying to Resolve’ Erika Jayne’s $25 Million Lawsuit
Attorneys are “actively talking” to Erika Jayne’s legal team as her legal battles continue.
The trustee overseeing her estranged husband Tom Girardi’s bankruptcy case regarding his former law firm, Girardi Keese, is reportedly suing the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star for $25 million.
“I gave her a week to just voluntarily return the money, but she never did,” attorney Ronald Richards told Us Weekly. “I am unable to participate in the settlement negotiations, but we are working with her attorney to resolve the case. This is the $25 million paid on Erika’s behalf by [Girardi’s] law firm to cover her expenses over a 12-year period.”
Richards is “optimistic” that the case will be resolved and that the reality star will be given options so she does not “waste any more money on legal fees or whoever is paying the fees.” “I would rather have her pay the victims than her lawyers,” he said.
Evan C. Borges, Jayne’s attorney, told the publication that he had heard from Richards’ camp. “Regarding settlement discussions, those are supposed to be confidential between counsel,” Borges explained. “It appears that my opposing counsel Mr. Richards has been discussing publicly what he calls settlement discussions. Here’s the truth: Mr. Richards has reached out and told me that he and the trustee want to settle. I have listened and will continue to listen. That’s it.”
“I can’t say enough that based on the evidence and law, Erika does not have liability for any of the claims against her,” Borges said. “All the claims against Erika amount to efforts to blame her for the actions of others, including Girardi Keese and Tom Girardi.”
Jayne “absolutely can file for bankruptcy” according to Richards, but he doesn’t believe the Pretty Mess author would do so. “No one is pressuring her, and there is no reason for her to do that,” he explained.
Jayne and Girardi divorced in November. Shortly after their divorce was announced, the couple was named in a lawsuit alleging that they embezzled settlement funds intended for the families of the victims of the Lion Air Flight 610 plane crash in 2018.
