Erika Jayne Girardi allegedly benefited from PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] Loans during the pandemic-era support program.
As per reports from Bloomberg Law, Erika’s Florida attorney, James L. Wilkes II, allegedly aided in the scheme that the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills used to manipulate the legal system.
The charges:
Erika falsely claimed that “Marco Squared LLC engaged in credit card fraud as part of a conspiracy to defraud American Express.” The clothing company told the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida that “attorney James L. Wilkes II succeeded in frustrating legal processes in suits where Marco Squared and others tried to clear their names or secure compensation.”
The RHOBH personality’s estranged husband, former California attorney Tom Girardi, received an 87-month prison sentence in June for stealing millions of dollars from his clients. Tom Girardi, famous for his portrayal in the film Erin Brokovich, stole from clients who’d lost family members in plane crashes and gas explosions.
Tom spent the clients’ settlement money on private jets and Jayne’s entertainment career.
It’s been alleged that James L. Wilkes II “helped Erika and her two top aides in hiding their conspiracy to defraud American Express by accusing the plaintiffs of credit card fraud.”
James Wilkes II used PPP loans to pay attorneys to defend Erika and her aides in lawsuits. Those loans were intended to pay salaries and prevent layoffs at Wilkes’ law firm during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The attorney is being investigated for perpetrating fraud on the federal program. He allegedly overstated the number of employees he had and falsely claimed that his employees lost wages during the pandemic.
“The defendant used these funds to hire and supervise attorneys in civil lawsuits against Jayne. He directed those attorneys to shield Jayne from cross-examination and depositions in violation of attorney conduct rules. The purpose of this alleged conspiracy was to intimidate Marco Squared from pursuing litigation against Jayne.”
