Erika Jayne is facing criticism for her continued appeal regarding a set of diamond earrings that she alleges were stolen from her without authorization. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 52, has been fighting to have the decision overturned ever since the earrings sold for $250,000 at auction in late 2022. Thomas Girardi, 84, the trustee overseeing his bankruptcy case, claims the ruling is causing “economic bleeding” of his estate.
As many RHOBH viewers are aware, Thomas was compelled to file for bankruptcy in late 2020 after being accused of stealing $18 million from his clients. His trustee in bankruptcy has since been making efforts to compensate the numerous victims of his deception.
Amid her efforts, the trustee filed a $25 million lawsuit against Erika, demanding she return the money that Thomas’ now-defunct law firm, Girardi Keese, used to pay her bills for her company, EJ Global. She also demanded Erika turn over the earrings, which she ultimately did — before filing her appeal.
Now, months later, in a newly filed motion obtained by Radar Online on November 13, the trustee is requesting the court block Erika from continuing to drag out her appeal.
According to the trustee, there is no question about whether or not the funds used to purchase the earrings were meant for his clients because the money did not come out of his personal account.
In her motion, the trustee stated that it is necessary, “most importantly,” to “stop the economic bleeding Erika is causing the Estate in pursuit of her quest to benefit from the unconscionable fraud and crime perpetrated by her husband.” Erika has not provided any evidence in support of her claims that the jewelry was unlawfully seized, according to the trustee.
The trustee added that although Erika asked for additional time to complete discovery, including expert depositions that the trustee uses, she has not submitted any supporting documentation for the request.
Earlier this month, while appearing on #NoFilter With Zack Peter, Erika opened up about the drama surrounding her earrings, shading actor Jon Hamm for suggesting they were never hers.
“F*ck you. I won on appeal. You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stated. “‘Those were never yours.’ Really? [The] appellate judge said they were. Or at least said you can’t prove that they weren’t.”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 13 airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.