Former Girardi Keese attorney Keith Griffin has been indicted in Illinois federal court for his involvement in the misappropriation of client funds, marking another significant development in the unraveling of the once-prominent Los Angeles law firm.
The indictment, filed on August 8, 2025, charges Griffin with four counts of contempt of court, one count of concealing knowledge of wire fraud, and one count of concealing knowledge of contempt of court. These charges stem from his alleged role in violating court orders and covering up the theft of settlement funds owed to clients, particularly those affected by the 2018 Lion Air Flight 610 crash. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/another-ex-girardi-keese-lawyer-indicted-over-client-funds?utm_source=openai))
Griffin’s legal troubles are part of a broader scandal involving Girardi Keese. In June 2023, the State Bar of California initiated disbarment proceedings against Griffin and David Lira, another former attorney at the firm and son-in-law of founder Thomas Girardi. The State Bar accused both attorneys of misappropriating funds intended for the families of Lion Air crash victims. ([calbar.ca.gov](https://www.calbar.ca.gov/About-Us/News/News-Releases/state-bar-seeks-disbarment-of-girardi-keese-attorneys-david-lira-and-keith-griffin?utm_source=openai))
In January 2024, a State Bar Court judge recommended a six-month suspension for Griffin, rejecting calls for disbarment. The judge found insufficient evidence to prove that Griffin conspired with Girardi to misappropriate client funds. ([law.com](https://www.law.com/therecorder/2024/01/22/state-bar-court-judge-suspends-girardi-keese-attorney-for-6-months/?utm_source=openai))
These developments follow the conviction of Thomas Girardi, the firm’s co-founder, who was found guilty in August 2024 of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from clients. In June 2025, Girardi was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/former-plaintiffs-lawyer-tom-girardi-sentenced-to-more-than-7-years-in-prison-for-swindling-tens-of-millions-of-dollars-from-injured-clients?utm_source=openai))
The indictment of Keith Griffin underscores the ongoing legal repercussions for former Girardi Keese attorneys and highlights the extensive misconduct that led to the firm’s downfall.