Erika Jayne, star of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, was served with a $50 million racketeering lawsuit at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, as she returned from a trip to Hawaii with castmates Lisa Rinna and Diana Jenkins. The 51-year-old was seen looking downcast as she left her home days later, wearing a black and white sweatshirt and carrying a Chanel tote.
The lawsuit, filed by Edelson PC, accuses Jayne of conspiracy to racketeering, conspiracy, and unlawful business practices, among nine charges. The claims are linked to her estranged husband Tom Girardi's legal troubles with his firm Girardi Keese, which is alleged to have misappropriated client settlement money to fund a lavish lifestyle portrayed on reality TV.
According to the suit, Jayne's company EJ Global was created to funnel money from Girardi Keese for her benefit. The firm claims Jayne was a 'frontwoman' for the law firm, promoting an image of success while being aware of an embezzlement scheme involving settlement funds for victims of the 2018 Lion Air Flight 610 crash, which killed all 189 people on board.
Jayne has denied all wrongdoing on the reality show, stating she feels 'terrible' about the events. She filed for divorce from Girardi in November 2020 after 21 years of marriage but has said it is not sensible to finalise the divorce amid ongoing litigation, as she would have to pay him alimony.
