A former high school math teacher turned chief financial officer is sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme orchestrated by Tom Girardi, a disgraced attorney whose law firm collapsed in 2020. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Josephine Staton in Los Angeles after a trustee overseeing the bankruptcy of Girardi’s firm accused Christopher Kamon of ongoing efforts to conceal stolen funds, including in newly discovered bank accounts in Hungary and the Bahamas.
The Scheme Unraveled: A Ponzi-like Operation Exposed
Kamon, a 51-year-old former math teacher from Torrance, was at the helm of Girardi Keese’s financial operations for 15 years, during which the firm was running a Ponzi-like scheme that diverted as much as $100 million in client funds. The funds were used to support a lavish lifestyle and a music career for Kamon’s wife, Erika Jayne, known for her role on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Following Girardi’s conviction for fraud, Kamon struck a deal with prosecutors, admitting to wire fraud and confessing to his role in diverting settlement funds from clients to cover personal expenses like country club bills and luxury vehicle leases.
Prosecutors also revealed that Kamon had initiated his own elaborate embezzlement scheme within the larger fraud operation. He siphoned off more than $6.5 million from Girardi by creating fictitious vendors and kickback schemes, using the stolen money to renovate his properties and finance extravagant gifts and allowances. Despite the complex web of deceit, Kamon has maintained that he was merely following Girardi’s directives, painting himself as a loyal subordinate who trusted his boss implicitly.
Accountability and Consequences: A Legal Battle Unfolds
The battle over responsibility between Girardi and Kamon has been a focal point since the attorney’s downfall several years ago. Financial records uncovered during the bankruptcy proceedings shed light on the extensive misuse of client funds, including payments for personal enhancements, real estate investments, and luxury gifts. While Girardi’s defense team cited his declining mental health as a factor in the fraud, jurors ultimately found him guilty on multiple counts of wire fraud.
At his sentencing, Kamon expressed remorse and attempted to convey his loyalty to Girardi, emphasizing his gratitude for the attorney’s support during a personal health crisis. However, the judge and trustee overseeing the case were skeptical of his claims, noting his failure to fully cooperate in returning stolen assets and his continued attempts to conceal illicit funds in offshore accounts. Despite Kamon’s lack of a prior criminal record, the judge imposed a significant restitution amount of $8.9 million, underscoring the severity of the fraud scheme.
Both Girardi and Kamon are facing additional federal charges related to the misappropriation of settlements for families of plane crash victims in Chicago. While Kamon is in negotiations for a plea deal, Girardi’s legal team is advocating for his placement in a nursing home due to cognitive decline rather than incarceration. Experts have evaluated Girardi and determined that he does not require specialized medical care, setting the stage for his upcoming sentencing and the resolution of the legal saga that has ensnared both men in a complex web of deceit and consequences.
