AceShowbiz - Thomas Vincent Girardi, the estranged husband of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Erika Jayne, has been convicted of a massive decade-long embezzlement scheme involving at least $15 million in client settlement funds.

After less than a full day of deliberations, a federal jury in downtown Los Angeles found Girardi guilty on Tuesday of four counts of wire fraud. The charges stem from a Ponzi scheme in which Girardi stole funds from some of his law firm's most vulnerable clients, including those who had sustained severe physical injuries and awaited payment for treatment.

Prosecutors alleged that from 2010 to 2020, Girardi diverted funds to pay for personal expenses, including lavish vacations, jewelry, and his wife's entertainment career. They also claimed he misrepresented the status of clients' settlements, falsely indicating that funds had not been received or that payments were delayed due to fictitious requirements.

Girardi, now 85, pleaded not guilty to the charges. His defense argued that he was not responsible for the missing funds and that the law firm's former chief financial officer, Christopher Kamon, was to blame. However, the jury found Girardi guilty on all counts, which each carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

Girardi faces a separate federal fraud trial in Chicago, scheduled for March 2025. His sentencing in the Los Angeles case is set for December 6, and he faces a potential prison term of up to 80 years.

Federal authorities have praised the jury's verdict, emphasizing that Girardi betrayed the trust of his clients and exploited their misfortunes. The charges against Kamon and Girardi's son-in-law, David R. Lira, are still pending.