Tom Gerard's conviction in massive Ponzi scheme good evening I'm Daniel Terry and you're watching spot news TV our top story tonight is the conviction of disgraced attorney Tom gerardi who was found guilty of orchestrating a massive Ponzi scheme that defrauded his clients out of at least 15 million once a high powerered litigator known for his involvement in high-profile cases was convicted by by a jury in Los Angeles on four counts of wire fraud the 85-year-old attorney was accused of siphoning millions from settlement funds meant for his clients many of whom were seriously injured or lost loved ones in tragic accidents according to prosecutors gerardi used the stolen money to fund a lavish lifestyle which included private jets luxury Cs and the entertainment career of his estranged wife ER Jane Housewives of Beverly Hills despite suffering from dementia gerardi was deemed competent to stand trial and even took the stand in his own Defense US District Judge Josephine L Staten has scheduled Gerard's sentencing for December 6 where he faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud us attorney Martin ARR described Gerard as a Robin Hood in Reverse stealing from the needy support his opulent Lifestyle the victims of Gerard's scheme included individuals who had already suffered tremendous loss such as Joe romez who was severely burned in a gas explosion and Erica salana whose one-year-old child was tragically killed in a car crash Gerard's legal consultant Kimberly Archie expressed her dismay serious consen for it's a shame that people thought of him as a hero only to be deeply disappointed Gerard's former Chief accountant Chris camon is also implicated in the scheme and is awaiting trial on multiple fraud charges camon is accused of aiding gerardi in embezzling millions of dollars from the law firm's accounts this case marks a dramatic Fall From Grace for for Gerard who was once celebrated for his role in The Landmark a in Brockovich case against specific gas and electric now his legacy tarnished with his Law Firm facing over $500 million in claims as it undergoes Chapter 7 bankruptcy procedings stay tuned to spot news TV for more updates on this developing story I'm Daniel Terry and thank you for watching please subscribe to our channel for live updates [Applause] [Music] n [Music]