BROOKLYN — A federal court preserves a $26 million jury verdict against attorney Howard Kleinhendler, who was accused of legal malpractice, fraudulent inducement and exploitation of a vulnerable adult. The evidence on the record supports allegations that the attorney persuaded an elderly client with Alzheimer’s to sell his 1,000-acre Virginia property for a reduced price of $12 million to a group of investors he had formed without disclosing his conflicts of interest.
By John Monk
In an order published Thursday, the high court in essence said that Murdaugh’s financial crimes are so great, and he has confessed to some of them, that it is a waste of the court’s investigative arm’s time and resources to investigate them any more.
“Respondent shall appear in the Supreme Court Courtroom at 11:00 a.m. on June 22, 2022, to present legal argument on the question of whether this Court should disbar Respondent from the practice of law,” the court’s order said.
It was signed by Chief Justice Donald Beatty for all five justices.
“In this unique case, (Murdaugh’s) admissions in the public record lead to only one conclusion — that (Murdaugh’s) egregious ethical misconduct subjects him to the most significant sanction available — disbarment. Accordingly, we find there is no need to expend additional resources to proceed through the normal disciplinary process,” the court’s order said.
Murdaugh’s attorney, Jim Griffin, said he doesn’t expect Murdaugh to contest the motion. He also said he expects Murdaugh to be there in person because the Supreme Court has also ordered a sheriff’s van to transport Murdaugh from the jail to the Supreme Court courtroom.
If Murdaugh is disbarred because of this order, it means the public won’t get to see a full public accounting by the court of the extent of Murdaugh’s misdeeds and how he carried them out.
Normally, the court’s investigative arm, called the Office of Disciplinary Council, conducts an investigation and after an in-depth process submits its findings for the court. The court then usually issues lengthy public findings of fact before taking serious disciplinary action.
In a final order of disbarment, the Supreme Court could still issue findings of fact, but how detailed that document would be is open to question.
State grand jury indictments issued last fall, winter and this spring charge Murdaugh with using sham bank accounts and con schemes to steal more than $8 million from his law firm, his clients and associates for a 12-year period.
But the indictments are only generally worded accusations and do not give the kind of details that would surface in a full-fledged Supreme Court investigation or a trial.
“There is no factual dispute about whether (Murdaugh) engaged in dishonest conduct,” the court said.
Murdaugh has been in the Richland County jail since last fall unable to post $7 million bond for his alleged financial crimes. It is one of the highest bonds ever set for a state criminal defendant.
Murdaugh has appeared by remote video in previous hearings. In this case, however, the high court said it wanted him in its courtroom.
 |
| Click to Watch Video |
REAL Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne had a "breakdown" over ex-husband Tom Girardi's conservatorship.
The 50-year-old slammed his family for their dementia facility plans during Wednesday's episode of the Bravo show.
 |
 |
| Tom's family chose to put him in a facility for his dementia |
After sharing his family's plans to put him in a senior home, Erika made it clear that she did not support the idea.
She said: “I’m ready to have a nervous breakdown because regardless of what is going on with him legally, this is someone I was married to for 22 years.”
Erika said she “doesn’t agree” that Tom, 82, needs to be put in a home, explaining: “My grandmother was put into a home. She had very bad dementia.”
After noting that her grandmother was the “most beloved” person in her life, the RHOBH star continued: “This is a very difficult thing because I watched my grandmother die and to see this happen here again.”
She told the Kyle and Lisa: “When my grandmother was in her home, Tom paid for that.
"He was there for my grandmother. We have to remember that."
Erika continued: "I think he needs a caretaker, for sure.
"But I don’t think that he needs to be in a home like I saw my grandmother in. I know what they do to you in there.
"It’s supposed to be great care but if you lash out then they medicate you. The only way is down.”
After stating his adult children want nothing to do with Tom, Erika admitted that the situation “tragic” and a “nightmare.”
Back in August, Tom was spotted at a nursing home as the former high-powered attorney wore an oversized purple sweater and white pants during his outing.
He had his face mask under his chin before putting it back on.
After taking in the air and views, Tom re-entered the rest home.
More recently, it was revealed that Tom has been moved to another facility in Burbank, CA.
The RHOBH star filed for divorce from Tom back in November after about 21 years of marriage.
After their split was confirmed, the former couple was hit with a number of lawsuits.
Despite claiming she was not aware of Tom’s wrongdoings, the Bravo star has found herself at the center of the legal drama.
Erika was accused of “hiding her bank statements," as a trustee's special litigation counsel confirmed that Tom’s law firm transferred about $20 million to her many businesses.
The pair's legal drama has become a hot topic on the most recent season of RHOBH.
The Real Housewives star recently shared a teaser pic from the upcoming reunion
In the snap, Erika had a vibe of old-school Hollywood glamour in a Marilyn Monroe-inspired baby pink dress.
She posed on the stairs of her trailer as she combed her long blonde hair in dramatic waves and showed off her cleavage in the plunging mini dress.
She captioned the post: "Like me or not, I don’t run and hide. #rhobh reunion."
 |
By Lindsay Cronin
In a report written by Thomas’ court-appointed lawyer, Rudy Cosio, it was said “that Thomas could not fully comprehend the nature of the proceedings although he did state that he had no objections to Robert taking care of him the limited purpose of executing contracts on his behalf. Thomas voiced his concern of having a media circus at the hearing.”
During a hearing on Monday, February 1, Tom’s court-appointed attorney Rudy Cosio announced that the 81-year-old would not be participating as he’d suffered a medical emergency over the weekend. Robert filed a petition to the court earlier this month to be given control over both his brother and his brother’s estate amid his ongoing legal battle. Judge Daniel Juarez approved the petition in part and named Robert the temporary conservator of Tom’s estate and control over Tom’s daily activities and personal matters until March 30.
An additional hearing will take place on March 15, where the court will deliberate over the other requests in Robert’s petition. Tom’s brother also asked the court to give him the authority to place Tom in a facility that treats neurocognitive disorders such as dementia.
 |
According to court documents previously obtained by Us in January, Robert claimed that Tom was facing major health setbacks amid his divorce from Jayne, 49, and embezzlement scandal. Robert requested to be given control over his brother’s finances as “[Tom] is incapable of realizing and understanding the repercussions of the bankruptcy filings pending against him and the Debtor,” the docs stated.
News broke in November 2020 that the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star filed for divorce from the Colorado native after more than 20 years of marriage. One month later, class action firm Edelson PC accused the pair of faking their split to “fraudulently protect Tom and Erika’s money,” claiming that the pair were “on the verge of financial collapse.” The duo was also accused of embezzling $2 million in settlement funds intended to help the families of Lion Air Flight 610 victims.
 |
“I’m unsure that he understands either the nature or the gravity of the current situation,” the lawyer told a judge in December, according to The Los Angeles Times. Jenness recommended at the time that Tom should undergo a mental examination as his assets were frozen by the court.
Us has reached out for further comment. While neither Jayne nor her estranged husband have spoken publicly about their legal woes, a source previously revealed that the Bravo star is “still in disbelief” about the situation.
“The legal issues are unfolding one after another and she’s learning as everyone’s filing,” the source told Us in December. “As the whole world is finding out about it, she’s finding out about it. She’s reading about it in the press before she even sees it [from her lawyers].”
According to another insider, the “Pretty Mess” singer plans to tell-all during the next season of RHOBH.
“Erika will address her divorce on the upcoming season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Legally, there is only so much she is allowed to say, but she has been advised on what she can put out there,” the source told Us of the 11th season of the reality show. “Viewers will also finally hear the other Housewives’ thoughts on Erika and Tom’s divorce.”
With reporting by Marjorie Hernandez
In the petition for appointment of conservator, Tom's "current condition" is described as "sadly deteriorated to the point where he cannot care for himself without assistance"
By Ashley BoucherAs Erika and Tom Girardi's legal troubles and divorce continue, the 81-year-old trial lawyer is having a difficult time caring for himself his family says.
In a citation for conservatorship obtained by PEOPLE Thursday, Tom's brother Robert Girardi says that Tom is unable to provide for his personal needs and unable to manage his financial resources.
A court hearing is set for June 9. If Robert is appointed Tom's conservator at the hearing, he will become responsible for deciding where Tom lives as well as appropriate care for him. Robert would also take over control of Tom's property and estate.
In the petition for appointment of conservator, Tom's "current condition" is described as "sadly deteriorated to the point where he cannot care for himself without assistance."
"While Tom does have family members, such as Petitioner [Robert], and certain friends looking out for him to make sure he has sufficient food and that he makes it to a given appointment on time," the petition says, "left to his own devices, it is highly doubtful that Tom could manage most of the activities of daily living for any significant period of time without assistance."
Erika filed for divorce from Tom in November, telling PEOPLE at the time that it was not "a step taken lightly or easily."
In the filing, Erika sought spousal support and requested the court terminate its ability to award spousal support to Tom. Tom responded by asking the court to terminate its ability to award spousal support to Erika, and to request that the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star pay attorney fees and costs.
Tom and Erika do not have a prenup, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just one month later, the couple was sued for allegedly using their split to embezzle money. In December, Tom and his law firm, Girardi & Keese (GK), were held in civil contempt and have had their assets frozen by a judge.
Also last month, Tom was hit with another lawsuit, this time from his partner Robert Keese and fellow business partners Robert Finnerty and Jill O'Callahan to dissolve their venture together. The men claim that Tom never paid them approximately $315,000 in income, instead keeping the money for himself, and that he took out loans against their property without their knowledge for his "own personal gain, benefit and use."
Amid all of this, Tom's lawyers have said in court that he "has had issues of his mental competence" and asked a judge to order "mental health exam," the Los Angeles Times reported.
Edelson PC and Erika declined to comment on the case, and Tom did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment at the time.
 |
| Photo: Shutterstock |
 |
| Don Scher |
