Erika Jayne’s Attorney Slams Investigator For Making $25 Million Lawsuit Settlement Discussion Public

“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne may be one step closer to settling her $25 million lawsuit amid her estranged husband Tom Girardi’s bankruptcy case.

On Sunday, Ronald Richards, the court-appointed trustee investigating Jayne, told Us Weekly he was “actively talking” to her attorneys about reaching a settlement in the lawsuit.

On Friday, Richards said he was in the process of settling the suit after he gave Jayne a week to voluntarily return the money, but he never received a payment.

“I can’t get into the settlement discussion, but we are trying to resolve the case with her attorney. This is the $25 million that [Girardi’s] law firm paid on behalf of Erika to cover her expenses over a 12-year period,” he said.

However, Richards’ comments to the press did not sit well with Jayne’s legal team, which slammed the trustee for going public about their discussions.

“Regarding settlement discussions, those are supposed to be confidential between counsel,” Evan C. Borges, Jayne’s lawyer, said in a statement.

“It appears that my opposing counsel Mr. Richards has been discussing publicly what he calls settlement discussions. Here’s the truth: Mr. Richards has reached out and told me that he and the trustee want to settle. I have listened and will continue to listen. That’s it.”

Although Borges confirmed he has been in touch with Richards, he insisted Jayne was not responsible for the $25 million that was supposed to go to the family members of plane crash victims.

“I can’t say enough that based on the evidence and law, Erika does not have liability for any of the claims against her,” he explained.

“All the claims against Erika amount to efforts to blame her for the actions of others, including Girardi Keese and Tom Girardi.”

Borges went on to accuse Richards of publicly speaking about their private discussions to “promote himself.”

“It’s also another example of a baffling statement by Richards on a subject that lawyers aren’t supposed to discuss publicly, which doesn’t help anyone and seems designed to promote himself,” he concluded.

Jayne has been included in Girardi’s claim because she was accused of knowing her husband deliberately misused funds over the last 12 years to pay to finance their luxurious lifestyle.