BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Erika Jayne met with victims who claim her ex-husband, Tom Girardi, defrauded them out of settlement money. However, the internet does not believe that the 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star's gesture was done in good faith, accusing her of doing it for the cameras as the current season's shoot is underway.
Page Six exclusively revealed that the 'RHOBH' star spoke with many people that her ex, Tom, allegedly defrauded. She is reportedly trying to make amends for past actions. "I came here with an open heart to listen to what’s going on, hear what happened and figure out how to be a part of how to move forward together in a way that’s beneficial for all victims," Erika told the source. According to an eyewitness, the reality star was dressed conservatively when she arrived at Valley Inn Restaurant in Los Angeles for a Paul's Ice Cream event on July 16.
'Came here with an open heart'
Kathy Ruigomez and Kimberly Archie, a former employee of Tom's now-defunct legal firm, Girardi Keese, formed the company. Erika, who was dressed in a pink flowery top and black pants, was spotted giving a sit-down interview with the Los Angeles Times in front of a camera team in addition to chatting with Tom's associates and claimed victims.
"They looked very serious but engaged during their discussion," said an eyewitness, adding that the 'Pretty Mess' author appeared to be in "good spirits."
Kathy is the mother of burn victim Joseph Ruigomez, who reportedly had his compensation money stolen by Tom. Her family was promised $11 million from a 2020 lawsuit, she said, after her son was gravely injured in the San Bruno gas pipeline accident. Their tale gained national attention after it was included in Hulu's 2021 documentary 'The Housewife and the Hustler' about Erika and Tom's legal problems. The mother and son accused Tom of stealing money from Joseph's settlement.
"We thought he could win [the case for us]," Jamie, Joseph's sister, stated in the documentary. "We didn’t know how much of a snake he would be along the way."
Erika also met with Josie Hernandez, who sought legal guidance from Tom in 2014 after growing ill after many failed procedures to obtain an implant for "incontinence issues." According to US Weekly, Girardi Keese resolved the case for $135,000, but Josie claimed in 2019 that she hadn't received a thing.
Tom tells Josie in an August 2020 voicemail aired by Josie in the Hulu series, "I don’t want you mad at me. I’m working like a dog to try and get this thing resolved. … I’m a good guy, by the way."
However, after filing a complaint with the bar, Josie confirmed that her settlement money had been received by the legal firm three months prior to the message.
'Maybe she’s not dead inside '
After Erika's statements for the victims hit the internet, people were quick to react. One user wrote, "She’s only doing it for the cameras filming the new season. She’s never been remorseful about it and showed no sympathy." Another user added, "Too little too late." One person quipped, "Only took her two year! Maybe she’s not dead inside." A fourth user asked, "Did she arrive with checks? Return any of the stolen money?"
One user also commented to the news, "She’s pathetic!! She should have been fired!" Another person noted, "I hope she didn’t do so dress to the nines in designer clothing even if the cameras were running. That would be so offensive to them." Furthermore, people wrote, "Whatever your opinion is about her, she truly is a performer." "She couldn’t make amends until she was exonerated - tell the story right," sighed another.
