Girardi Lawyers Want to Vet Jurors’ ‘Real Housewives’ Exposure

Thomas Girardi’s lawyers want potential jurors to disclose their exposure to the “Bravoverse"—shows such as “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” where Girardi’s ex-wife Erika Jayne is a bold figure—saying it will likely jade their views of the disbarred attorney.

The Bravo TV network “encourages viewers to form parasocial relationships with the subjects of its shows,” and its influence, combined with extensive news coverage of Girardi’s downfall for allegedly stealing client awards, should prompt intensive, sequestered jury questioning, his attorneys wrote in Friday court filings in the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Girardi’s attorneys are advocating for potential jurors to answer a questionnaire before they appear in-court for jury selection, a screening method that was also used in celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti’s 2021 fraud trial. Prosecutors have indicated that they oppose the motion, Girardi’s attorneys wrote.

The motion by Girardi’s attorney is the first glimpse at the defense’s strategy to contain the role major media will play in the case — attention Girardi once sought to solicit.

Reality television star and singer Jayne’s prominence could sway proceedings, his attorneys wrote, noting that she has 2.6 million followers on Instagram and that the average viewership of “Real Housewives” seasons featuring her has never fallen below one million.

The center of reality television star and singer Jayne’s brand—her legal name is Erika Girardi—remains her relationship with Girardi and his alleged fraud, court filings said.

Girardi was indicted in Illinois and California on wire fraud charges, accused of allegedly embezzling millions of dollars from clients of his now-bankrupt LA-based Girardi Keese law firm. He and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty.

A possible jury should also have the chance to answer questions about bias against lawyers privately, rather than before members of that profession in open court, the court filings said. The legal field is only less unpopular than the oil and gas industry, the federal government, and the pharmaceutical industry, Girardi’s attorneys wrote, citing a 2023 poll.

“Such bias could easily cause a juror to hold Girardi accountable for the sins of his profession as their most visible and proximate exemplar,” Girardi’s attorneys wrote.

Girardi’s LA trial is scheduled for Aug. 6.

The case is USA v. Girardi, C.D. Cal., No. 2:23-cr-00047, 5/17/24.