Judge Denies New Trial for Tom Girardi

A California federal judge has denied Tom Girardi's request for a new trial, finding that he exaggerated symptoms of dementia during his fraud trial. U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton ruled that Girardi, who was convicted of misappropriating $15 million from clients, was competent to stand trial, noting his active engagement and note-taking during proceedings. The judge emphasized that Girardi tailored his behavior to appear less competent and relied on expert assessments that indicated he was not suffering from severe cognitive decline. Girardi's sentencing is scheduled for December 20, which may influence ongoing criminal charges against him in Chicago related to misappropriating funds from victims of the 2018 Lion Air crash. His case has drawn significant public interest due to his connections to the “Erin Brockovich” film and reality television star Erika Jayne.