Erika Jayne Is Only Staying Married to Tom To Avoid Paying Alimony
Erika Girardi filed for divorce at the beginning of her husband Tom’s legal troubles. But years later, it appears the reality star has no intention of finalizing their divorce any time soon.
During the newest episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which premiered on July 20, Erika revealed why she’s not speeding up the process.
“It’s ironic, but if I was divorced from Tom, I’d have to pay him alimony,” she said on camera. “I’ll stay married, thanks.” Alimony is a court-ordered payment one person has to pay an ex-spouse during or after a legal divorce.
Erika touched on the subject again in the episode during a conversation with Lisa Rinna.
“ I can’t get a divorce right now. Like, I’m legally separated, so my life has moved on and everything is separate. But I can’t get a divorce right now,” Erika said. “There’s so much legal s–t going on. It’s a weird time and I’m really ready for it to be over.”
Erika has been named in a number of lawsuits since her husband’s fraudulent activities have been revealed. She’s also been accused of having direct knowledge of and participating in his wrongdoing.
In 2020, Erika filed for divorce from Tom after over two decades of marriage. However, only a month later, the couple were named in a class action lawsuit accusing them of stealing $2 million from the families of Lion Air Flight 610 victims, which is law firm had been representing.
Other lawsuits have come out of the woodwork since Tom’s firms was accused of embezzlement.
In February, Erika and her company EJ Global were named in a lawsuit launched by Kathleen Bajgrowicz, the mother of NFL star Chuck Osborne, who claims Tom filed to distribute a settlement he won her after her son’s death.
Most recently, Erika was named in a lawsuit launched this month seeking $55 million in damages for Tom’s fraud victims. It claims Erika knew of her husband’s schemes and supported them in order to maintain her lavish lifestyle.
Tom’s physical and mental health has deteriorated since she filed for divorce. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and his brother was named as the conservator of his estate.
In addition to multiple lawsuits, Erika is facing other financial woes. In June, she admitted to being unable to afford $2.2 million in unpaid taxes. She also lost her fight to keep a pair of $750,000 earrings from Tom, which were determined to have been bought with fraudulent funds.
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