Former California Billboard Attorney Sentenced to 7 Years In Prison For Defrauding Clients

This week, a prominent former California billboard attorney and founder of now defunct Girardi & Keese was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for embezzling millions of dollars from his former clients. The New York Post reported

The disgraced lawyer was also reportedly ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution to his victims, as well as a $35K fine. ​​The former powerhouse attorney, who ran the now-closed Girardi Keese law firm, was accused of stealing more than $15 million in settlement funds from his clients from October 2010 to late 2020. 

“Girardi sent lulling communications to the defrauded clients that, among other things, falsely denied that the settlement proceeds had been paid and falsely claimed that Girardi Keese could not pay the settlement proceeds to clients until certain purported requirements had been met,” the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said in a news release upon Girardi’s sentencing.

Bilal Essayli, US Attorney for the Central District of California: ““This self-proclaimed ‘champion of justice’ was nothing more than a thief and a liar who conned his vulnerable clients out of millions of dollars.”

Girardi’s sentencing comes nearly one year after he was found guilty of four counts of wire fraud in a Los Angeles federal court in August 2024.

This sentencing comes after his former partner, ex-Girardi Keese partner Robert Finnerty, was fined for intentionally withholding information about a $53 million settlement from his clients. 

These actions highlight the urgent need for reform to protect consumers and victims. Too many people who only want to access the legal system end up getting abused by the very people who they hire to help them. 

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