Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for August 19
Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment.
Being Erika Jayne is "XXPEN$IVE" after all.
The lawyers for the trustee overseeing the Girardi Keese bankruptcy found that the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star’s company spent more than $25,000,000 on her American Express bill, assistants and a glam squad, according to a legal demand letter sent to her lawyer on Thursday.
The letter, which was exclusively obtained by Page Six, alleged that money was transferred from her estranged husband Tom Girardi’s law firm into Jayne’s company, EJ Global LLC, and notes that she is the sole owner of the company.
"Mrs. Girardi signed under penalty of perjury the return and personally approved the charges allocated to the breakdown," the letter reads. A source indicated that the letter would be filed in the bankruptcy proceedings as part of an amended complaint.
‘REAL HOUSEWIVES’ STAR ERIKA JAYNE AND TOM GIRARDI ARE DIVORCING: WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Tom Girardi and Erika Jayne are currently involved in a number of lawsuits, including their divorce. (Getty Images)
Jayne’s attorney shot back that "no money whatsoever went to Erika," however, and that she never had a role in managing her husband’s company.
The trustee’s lawyers claimed that from 2008 to 2020 $14,259,012.84 was charged to an American Express card. Her company also spent $1,532,774.88 at the McDonald Selznick Associates Agency — which describes itself as "the first agency dedicated to represent dancers and choreographers exclusively" — and another $1,417,587.50 on unknown purchases.
Jayne’s company also allegedly gave Stephanie Shepherd — formerly Kim Kardashian’s executive assistant — $102,596.77 and Opus Beauty — an agency that represents "best and most influential and sought after artists in the business" $17,415 from her LLC.
Mario Dedivanoic, better known as Makeup by Mario, received $1,000.
E5 Global Media — who publishes Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter — received $8,480, while the Los Angeles Times Magazine was paid $10,400.
Jayne, 50, through her company, also appears to have paid various public relations groups high sums of money from the account among other charges.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Ronald Richards, a lawyer representing the trustee, told Page Six in a statement that Jayne owes Girardi Keese over $28 million for her purchases plus interest.
"It is immaterial whether she knew her husband had improperly diverted funds from clients," Richards’ statement added. "What is relevant is that she received complete and total value for the receivable and a formal demand for payment was sent. We are hopeful she backs up her on-air statement last night that the victims come first. "
Jayne’s attorney, however, told Page Six in a separate statement that "Erika never had and does not have personal liability for any debts or obligations of EJ Global LLC, period."
Her attorney also called the trustee’s allegations a "malicious" and "reckless publicity grab," as "none of the payments and no money whatsoever went to Erika."
"On behalf of Erika, we will seek all appropriate remedies against all responsible parties for claims such as these," read the statement from Jayne’s attorney.
Her legal counsel added that the "RHOBH" star — who filed for divorce from 82-year-old Girardi in November 2020 and has adamantly denied any wrongdoing — "is entitled to move on with her life without this sort of harassment"
Girardi Keese was first forced into bankruptcy last year as Girardi was repeatedly accused of misappropriating money intended for clients and was sued by a class-action firm representing Lion Air 610 victims for allegedly "embezzling" money through his divorce from the reality star.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
However, a judge ruled in July that Jayne could have to pay the victims out of her pocket as she received funds from the firm.
The "How Many F–ks" singer was previously accused of refusing to turn over her financial records in the case but she was adamant in filings that she "has been and remains willing to cooperate fully" with the investigation.
Trending
