Disbarred attorney Thomas Girardi and Christopher K. Kamon, the head of accounting at Girardi’s now-defunct firm, Girardi Keese, have been dealt a significant legal setback. Their attempt to suppress key evidence in a criminal case has been rejected by the court. Girardi, who faces wire fraud charges in both Illinois and California for allegedly embezzling millions of dollars from clients, along with his co-defendants, has pleaded not guilty.
Since the firm’s Chapter 7 Bankruptcy filing in December 2020, an appointed trustee has been tasked with managing the firm’s business records. These records have been crucial in the ongoing investigation and were provided to the U.S. government as part of the proceedings. U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton, of the Central District of California, confirmed that these documents are under the trustee’s control and are considered property of the bankruptcy estate.
The judge further noted that Girardi and Kamon failed to demonstrate any expectation of privacy regarding the firm’s records, which undermined their argument for suppression. This decision marks a crucial moment in the continued legal challenges faced by Girardi and his associates, highlighting the complex interplay between bankruptcy law and criminal investigations.
For more information, you can read the full article on Bloomberg Law.