‘I don’t think she knew anything’: Lisa Rinna DEFENDS Erika Jayne amid her embezzlement scandal… after RHOBH costars questioned if she’s going to jail
Erika Jayne can count on her friend Lisa Rinna as a character witness.
On Wednesday night’s Watch What Happens Live! Lisa told Andy Cohen that she doesn’t believe Erika ‘knew anything’ about her estranged husband Tom Girardi’s legal woes.
Both Erika, 50, and ex Tom, 82, are currently facing claims of allegedly embezzling settlement funds that were meant to help the families of plane crash victims.
While some other RHOBH stars appear to be on the fence – particularly Sutton Stracke – Lisa defended her last night, saying: ‘Listen, I’ve known Erika a long time. I don’t think she knew anything.’
‘I don’t think she knew anything’: Lisa Rinna defends Erika Jayne amid her embezzlement scandal on Wednesday night’s Watch What Happens Live
She added: ‘You tell me how she would know – why would Tom Girardi tell Erika anything? The lawyers didn’t even know. I mean, that is how I feel. I’m gonna stand by it. If I’m wrong, I’ll f****** deal with it.’
Lisa also revealed that she has remained close to Erika, even when the show isn’t filming, hinting that she knows her better than the other housewives.
She explained: ‘You know, I talk to Erika when Erika wants to talk. I can’t really give it a timeframe. But let’s put it this way: I’m closer with Erika than I’ve been with anybody in this circle.’
In the hot seat: Both Erika, 50, and ex Tom, 82, are currently facing claims of allegedly embezzling settlement funds that were meant to help the families of plane crash victims
Not buying it: Lisa – pictured with Gary Janetti – said she doesn’t believe Erika knew anything about the alleged crimes
Asking the tough questions: Andy grilled Lisa on her thoughts on the situation
Hang on just a minute: Lisa took the opportunity to defend her friend
‘I have become close friends with Erika over the six years. I’m much closer to her than I’ve been to any of those women. So that is important to know, I think,’ Lisa added.
Lisa then shot down the ‘terrible rumor’ that the reason she is coming to the singer’s defense, is because Erika had invested in Lisa’s business venture, Rinna Beauty.
She asserted: ‘Erika did not give me a dime. And by the way, I would never borrow money from a friend. That is not true. No.’
However, Erika’s other costars appeared to be less convinced on last night’s episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Support: Erika and Lisa are pictured on the latest episode of RHOBH
Defending her friend: Lisa has been a rock for Erika amid her legal woes
Sutton questioned whether they had all ‘been slightly duped by the lies’ and Dorit Kemsley said it was a ‘hard pill to swallow’ as he’s known Erika for years.
‘It’s almost as if we don’t know her at all,’ Dorit said.
Last month, it was reported that an investigator in the bankruptcy trial of Tom Girardi says he wants to take into account ‘inconsistent statements’ the Erika had made on the reality show.
Investigator Ronald Richards told UsWeekly: ‘There’s a lot of inconsistent statements and admissions made by the non-scripted actors that we’re putting together to use in court.’
Asked whether the attorney has seen ‘a lot of inconsistencies with the story’ being told on RHOBH in regards to Erika and Tom’s lawsuit and financial woes, Richards said: ‘That’s correct.’
Rinna bind: Lisa has made it clear she is going to be there for Erika
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