Deliberations on the criminal trial against Tom Girardi resume in LA

Deliberations are expected to resume Tuesday in the criminal case against once-powerful trial lawyer Tom Girardi in federal court in Los Angeles. Girardi is accused of running a massive Ponzi scheme for 10 years in which he allegedly siphoned off at least $15 million in settlement payments from his clients.

During closing arguments Monday, a federal prosecutor asked the jury to find the defendant guilty on four counts of wire fraud because he stole from injured clients and spent the money on private jets, golf club memberships, jewelry and the career of his now-estranged wife, “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne.

“He wanted the outside world to believe he was fighting for people who couldn’t help themselves,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Moghaddas told the jury, adding that clients waiting for settlement payments “while days turned into months and months turned into years.”