Erika Girardi: After the $25 Million Settlement and Legal Fallout
Few reality TV arcs have taken as sharp a turn as Erika Girardi’s — from glamorous Housewife to the center of a $25 million legal settlement. Her ex-husband, Thomas Girardi, was convicted of wire fraud in 2024, and the fallout has reshaped her public life.
Age: 54 (born July 10, 1971) ·
Professional name: Erika Jayne ·
Ex-husband: Thomas Girardi (convicted of wire fraud, 2024) ·
Legal settlement: $25 million lawsuit settled in May 2026 ·
Current relationship: Reported dating John McPhee (as of 2025)
Quick snapshot
- Erika Girardi settled a $25 million lawsuit in May 2026 (Los Angeles Times)
- Thomas Girardi convicted of wire fraud in August 2024 (Reuters)
- Erika Girardi denied wrongdoing and was not criminally charged (PEOPLE)
- Exact net worth remains undisclosed
- Current relationship status with John McPhee not confirmed
- Details of Erika’s knowledge of Thomas’s fraud
- Future plans for RHOBH return
- Erika Girardi’s legal exposure from the civil case is resolved
- Thomas Girardi continues serving his 7-year sentence
- Erika’s career and public image remain under scrutiny
Eight key facts about Erika Girardi’s life and legal situation, drawn from court records and verified reporting:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Erika Girardi (née Chahoy) |
| Date of birth | July 10, 1971 |
| Occupation | Singer, television personality, actress |
| Spouse | Thomas Girardi (divorced) |
| Children | 1 son |
| Known as | Erika Jayne |
| Lawsuit settlement | $25 million (2026) |
| Ex-husband sentence | 7 years for wire fraud |
What has happened to Erika Girardi?
Erika Girardi’s life has been dominated by legal and financial fallout from her ex-husband’s crimes. The most significant recent development came in May 2026, when she settled a $25 million civil lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court, ending the case just before trial, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Court records cited by PEOPLE confirmed the case settled during a final pretrial conference on May 21, 2026, with pending motions and hearing dates vacated.
Where is Erika Girardi now?
Erika Girardi continues to live in Los Angeles. The settlement resolved the bankruptcy trustee’s claims that she and her companies spent more than $25 million in firm funds on glam expenses and personal bills, according to TMZ. Erika denied wrongdoing and was not criminally charged, as PEOPLE reported.
How much money did Erika get in her divorce?
The exact financial terms of Erika Girardi’s divorce from Thomas Girardi have not been publicly disclosed. The $25 million settlement she paid in 2026 was to resolve the bankruptcy trustee’s lawsuit, not a divorce payout. The settlement amount itself was not disclosed in court records cited by PEOPLE.
What is Erika Girardi’s net worth?
Erika Girardi’s net worth is not publicly confirmed. Estimates vary widely, but the $25 million settlement and legal fees have likely reduced her assets significantly. No verified financial disclosure has been made.
Erika Girardi paid $25 million to end a civil case that accused her of spending firm money on personal luxuries — but she admitted no wrongdoing and faced no criminal charges. The settlement closes one chapter, but questions about her knowledge of Thomas’s fraud remain unanswered.
Are Thomas Girardi and Erika still together?
No. Erika Girardi and Thomas Girardi are divorced. Erika filed for divorce in 2021, and the marriage ended amid the collapse of Thomas’s law firm and his legal troubles. The divorce was finalized before Thomas’s conviction.
Why did Erika and Thomas Girardi divorce?
Erika Girardi filed for divorce in 2021, shortly before Thomas Girardi’s law firm, Girardi Keese, collapsed amid allegations of embezzlement. The Los Angeles Times reported that Thomas was serving a seven-year sentence in 2026 after his wire-fraud conviction.
What was Thomas Girardi convicted of?
Thomas Girardi was convicted in August 2024 on four counts of wire fraud, according to Reuters. The U.S. Department of Justice described him as a disbarred plaintiffs’ personal-injury attorney who embezzled tens of millions of dollars of client settlement money. He was sentenced on June 3, 2025, to 87 months in prison, fined $35,000, and ordered to pay $2,310,247 in restitution, per the DOJ.
Thomas Girardi’s 87-month sentence — and the $15 million he stole from clients between 2010 and 2020, as reported by Reuters — created the financial hole that the bankruptcy trustee tried to recover from Erika. The marriage’s end was both personal and financial.
Is Erika still with John McPhee?
Erika Girardi has been reported dating John McPhee, a music industry executive, as of 2025. The relationship has not been officially confirmed by Erika, and its current status remains unclear.
Who is John McPhee?
John McPhee is a music industry executive. He has worked with major artists and labels, though specific details of his career are not widely publicized. His reported relationship with Erika Girardi has been covered by entertainment media.
Who is Erika’s new partner?
If Erika Girardi is currently in a relationship, John McPhee is the only reported partner since her divorce. No public confirmation or denial has been issued by either party.
What is Erika Jayne accused of?
Erika Jayne was accused in a civil lawsuit of involvement in her ex-husband’s fraud. The bankruptcy trustee alleged that she and her companies spent more than $25 million in firm funds on glam squads, personal bills, and luxury expenses, as TMZ reported. Erika denied wrongdoing and settled the case before trial.
What is the $25 million lawsuit about?
The $25 million lawsuit was filed by the bankruptcy trustee overseeing the collapse of Thomas Girardi’s law firm, Girardi Keese. The trustee accused Erika and her companies of misappropriating client funds for personal use. The case was settled in May 2026, with the settlement amount undisclosed, per PEOPLE.
What happened to Thomas Girardi’s law firm?
Girardi Keese, once a prominent plaintiffs’ firm, collapsed after it was revealed that Thomas Girardi had embezzled client settlement funds. The Daily Journal reported that the indictment alleged Thomas misappropriated over $15 million in settlement funds from multiple former clients between 2010 and 2020. The federal case was U.S. v. Girardi et al., filed in the Central District of California on January 31, 2023.
Erika Girardi settled for $25 million without admitting wrongdoing — but the settlement itself is a tacit acknowledgment that the trustee’s case had enough merit to avoid trial. For the victims of Thomas Girardi’s fraud, the settlement recovers a fraction of what was stolen.
What did Jennifer Lawrence say about Erika Jayne?
Jennifer Lawrence publicly called Erika Jayne “evil” in a comment about The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The remark, made in a public setting, drew widespread media attention and highlighted the cultural scrutiny Erika faces.
Why did Jennifer Lawrence call Erika Jayne evil?
Jennifer Lawrence’s comment appeared to be a reaction to Erika Jayne’s portrayal on the show and her legal troubles. Lawrence did not elaborate, but the remark reflected the polarized public opinion about Erika’s role in the scandal.
Why did Brandi get kicked off Real Housewives?
Brandi Glanville was removed from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after multiple incidents, including conflicts with cast members and controversial behavior. Her departure was not directly related to Erika Girardi’s legal issues.
Timeline: Key events in Erika Girardi’s legal and personal life
- July 10, 1971: Erika Chahoy born.
- 2015: Joins The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
- 2021: Files for divorce from Thomas Girardi.
- August 2024: Thomas Girardi convicted of wire fraud (Reuters).
- June 3, 2025: Thomas Girardi sentenced to 87 months in prison (Reuters).
- May 21, 2026: Erika Girardi settles $25 million civil lawsuit (Los Angeles Times).
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Erika Girardi was born July 10, 1971
- Thomas Girardi convicted of wire fraud in 2024
- $25 million lawsuit settled in May 2026
- Erika Girardi is divorced from Thomas Girardi
- Jennifer Lawrence called Erika Jayne evil
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth
- Current relationship status with John McPhee
- Details of Erika’s knowledge of Thomas’s fraud
- Future plans for RHOBH return
Key quotes and perspectives
“Erika Giraldi settled a $25 million bankruptcy lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court on May 21, 2026, ending the case before trial.”
— Los Angeles Times
“Erika Girardi denied wrongdoing and was not criminally charged in connection with the civil lawsuit.”
— PEOPLE
“The U.S. Department of Justice said Thomas Girardi was sentenced to 87 months, fined $35,000, and ordered to pay $2,310,247 in restitution.”
What this means for Erika Girardi
The $25 million settlement closes the civil case against Erika Girardi, but it does not erase the public association with her ex-husband’s crimes. For Erika, the legal chapter is over — but the reputational damage may take years to repair. For the victims of Thomas Girardi’s fraud, the settlement recovers a fraction of what was stolen, and the question of who knew what remains unanswered.
usatoday.com, youtube.com, courthousenews.com, facebook.com, reddit.com
Efter at have afsluttet det civile søgsmål har Erika Girardi holdt en lav profil, men Erika Girardis forlig og nye partner kaster lys over både hendes nettoformue og nye forhold.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erika Girardi still on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?
Erika Girardi has not confirmed her future on the show. She has appeared in recent seasons, but her status for upcoming seasons is unclear.
What is Erika Jayne’s net worth?
Erika Jayne’s net worth is not publicly confirmed. Estimates vary, but the $25 million settlement and legal fees have likely reduced her assets.
How many children does Erika Girardi have?
Erika Girardi has one son, whose name has not been publicly disclosed.
What was Thomas Girardi convicted of?
Thomas Girardi was convicted of four counts of wire fraud in August 2024 and sentenced to 87 months in prison in June 2025.
Did Erika Girardi know about the fraud?
Erika Girardi has denied knowledge of Thomas Girardi’s fraud. No evidence has been presented that she was aware of the embezzlement.
How much did Erika Jayne pay in the settlement?
The settlement amount was not disclosed in court records. The lawsuit sought $25 million, but the final payment is unknown.
Who pays Erika’s legal fees?
Erika Girardi’s legal fees have been a subject of speculation. She has not publicly disclosed who has funded her legal defense.
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