Tom Girardi, former ‘Real Housewives’ husband, sentenced to seven years in prison

LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - A federal judge has sentenced Tom Girardi to seven years and three months in prison.

The 86-year-old former attorney and estranged husband of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Erika Jayne was convicted last August of for embezzling millions of dollars from his clients for more than a decade.

During the hearing Tuesday in a Los Angeles court, the judge also ordered Girardi to pay $2.3 million in restitution to victims and a $35,000 fine.

Federal prosecutors argued Girardi used his status to pilfer tens of millions of dollars in settlement funds from clients, whom he represented in cases involving severe injuries.

Girardi is known for his role in the 1993 groundwater contamination lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Co., which inspired the film, "Erin Brockovich."

He also appeared regularly on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" reality series between 2015 and 2020.

Girardi has been ordered to surrender to federal authorities no later than July 17 to begin his sentence.

To learn more about Girardi's sentencing, click here.