Erika sued by Nicolas Cage's ex girlfriend Christina Fulton for $745,000 over claim of fraud and theft.
According to the court documents, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH) star, Erika Girardi, 51, is being sued by Nicolas Cage's ex-girlfriend Christina Fulton, 55, for $745,000 over claims of fraud and theft.
Fulton claims that Erika and her husband Thomas Girardi are responsible for breach of fiduciary duties, breach of contract and legal malpractice, among other complaints.
Fulton's lawsuit claims she also
"was one of the firm's clients who was unfortunately a victim of this fraud and theft."
Fulton hired Girardi to represent her
"in connection with claims based on severe injuries she sustained in an automobile accident on or about January 1, 2016,".
Fulton's complaint alleges that Erika's company, "EJ Global LLC" of which she is the single owner, "was created for the purpose of funneling money from Girardi Keese to benefit Erika."
Additionally, the court documents allege that the Girardis were using Erika's company to avoid paying taxes — and that the reality star was aware of the scheme.
"Erika and Tom Girardi would deduct EJG´s expenses on their personal tax return, Girardi Keese would keep the money paid to Erika as a bogus receivable on its books and records. Erika clearly knew that for tax years 2011 to 2013, the FTB found that the entity was created as a tax avoidance entity."
But Erika's lawyer Evan C. Borges claims that the current lawsuit filed by Fulton has two fundamental problems.
Fulton's complaint alleges that Erika's company, "EJ Global LLC" of which she is the single owner, "was created for the purpose of funneling money from Girardi Keese to benefit Erika."
Additionally, the court documents allege that the Girardis were using Erika's company to avoid paying taxes — and that the reality star was aware of the scheme.
"Erika and Tom Girardi would deduct EJG´s expenses on their personal tax return, Girardi Keese would keep the money paid to Erika as a bogus receivable on its books and records. Erika clearly knew that for tax years 2011 to 2013, the FTB found that the entity was created as a tax avoidance entity."
But Erika's lawyer Evan C. Borges claims that the current lawsuit filed by Fulton has two fundamental problems.
"First, Erika, a non-lawyer, had no role in the actions of Girardi Keese in dealing with clients of the firm or managing the firm's finances,"
"Second, Erika reasonably believed, along with most of the legal community, that she was married to an extremely wealthy attorney with a financially successful law firm."
"Erika's lifestyle and persona on a Housewives show are not legally valid reasons to sue her, especially for things she didn't do, The focus should be on Girardi Keese and, where supported by evidence, the lawyers, accountants, and financiers who enabled the law firm's misconduct."
"Erika's lifestyle and persona on a Housewives show are not legally valid reasons to sue her, especially for things she didn't do, The focus should be on Girardi Keese and, where supported by evidence, the lawyers, accountants, and financiers who enabled the law firm's misconduct."
