A new twist has emerged in the ongoing legal saga surrounding Erika Jayne, the reality TV star and ex-wife of disgraced attorney Tom Girardi. According to recently filed court documents shared by attorney @attorneyronaldrichards, a secret out-of-state bank account was opened for Erika in Florida — by none other than her personal attorney, Jim Wilkes, who is notably working on her behalf pro bono.
Secret Bank Account in Florida
In a sworn statement, Erika confirms:
“To the best of my recollection, I had one bank account opened for me by my friend and personal attorney Jim Wilkes in the State of Florida. It was opened at the national bank chain Wells Fargo…”
She goes on to clarify that she did not travel to Florida to open the account and has never accessed it from within the state. Most notably, Erika states that Jim Wilkes was the source of the funds deposited into the account, and that the account was for her personal use.
Questions of Motive and Transparency
Jim Wilkes, a seasoned attorney, has been representing Erika without charge as she navigates complex lawsuits connected to the collapse of Tom Girardi’s legal empire. The revelation that Wilkes not only opened a bank account for Erika but also personally funded it raises serious questions about:
- The transparency of the attorney-client relationship
- The true purpose of the Florida-based account
- Potential efforts to shield assets or avoid legal scrutiny
Public and Legal Reactions
The disclosure has sparked immediate controversy online, particularly given Erika’s continued involvement in lawsuits concerning assets and alleged misappropriated funds linked to Girardi's victims.
Attorney Ronald Richards, who has extensively followed Erika’s legal battles, has called for greater transparency and suggested that the court should further investigate the origins and usage of the Florida account.
Erika’s Position
While Erika asserts that she had no direct involvement in opening or handling the account from Florida, the fact that a lawyer working pro bono would personally finance their client’s expenses is highly unusual and may attract scrutiny from legal oversight bodies.
Conclusion
As the case continues to draw national attention, the revelation of a Florida bank account set up and funded by Erika’s attorney could mark a significant development in her ongoing legal troubles. The court may soon have to determine whether such actions breach legal ethics or represent an attempt to obscure asset ownership.
We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as new information emerges.
