Erika Jayne is demanding a jury trial as she continues to fight back against a $25 million lawsuit filed by the trustee presiding over estranged husband Thomas Girardi‘s bankruptcy case.
As the trustee hopes to see the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member ordered to pay back the millions in settlement funds Thomas owed to his clients but instead used to pay Erika’s bills, she’s hoping to argue her case in front of a jury of peers.
In court documents obtained by Radar Online on February 23, Erika made her request, confirming that previous efforts to reach a settlement with the trustee have been unsuccessful.
In a report initially shared by attorney Ronald Richards, it was noted that although Erika and the trustee haven’t reached a settlement yet, that doesn’t mean they won’t in the near future. In fact, the parties continue to work together to do just that.
“The parties had previously engaged in settlement discussions over an extended period of time. No settlement was reached, but settlement negotiations have resumed and are ongoing,” the report stated.
In the trustee’s lawsuit against the RHOBH cast member, they demanded that she return the millions of dollars Thomas’ now-defunct law firm, Girardi Keese, used to cover the expenses of her company, EJ Global, between the years of 2008 and 2020.
However, according to Erika, she had no idea that her husband was stealing money from his clients and demanded the case be dismissed, arguing that Thomas was “solvent” at the time he made the payments for her business.
“Ms. Girardi at all times was and is an entertainer with a 12th grade education. Ms. Girardi was never and is not an attorney, and she trusted that GK, Mr. Girardi, and the outside accountants, given their superior knowledge and expertise, prepared proper, lawful, and legitimate tax returns,” Erika’s attorney stated.
Erika is due to return to court in June, where a judge is expected to set a trial date if a settlement has not yet been reached.
In the years since Thomas was forced into bankruptcy, Erika has been dragged into a number of lawsuits and ordered to turn over a pair of pricey earrings her soon-to-be-ex-husband purchased for her.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 13 is currently in production and expected to premiere on Bravo sometime later this year.
