The court’s temperature rose as U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton interjected, clarifying the questioning around Girardi’s claims of still practicing law. Chui stood firm, asserting her belief that Girardi genuinely thought he was still working despite being disbarred.
The Heart of the Scandal
At the core of this legal tempest is whether Girardi, once a respected lawyer now drowning in scandal, is truly fit to face trial. Girardi’s defenders are waving the dementia flag, painting a picture of an elderly man trapped in mental decline. Yet, for prosecutors, this might just be a convenient facade for one of California’s most significant legal industry deceptions.
Girardi’s Decline: A Timeline
Casting the net back, Girardi’s world began to unravel in 2020 when his firm, Girardi Keese, spiraled into bankruptcy. Fast forward to today, Girardi stands accused of misappropriating millions from his clients, with multiple federal charges hanging over his head. If proven mentally unfit for trial, it could become the government’s Achilles heel in prosecuting him.
A Tale of Two Diagnoses
Adding another layer to this intricate puzzle, Diana Goldstein, representing the government, opined that Girardi might be exaggerating his symptoms, albeit potentially suffering from mild cognitive impairment.
