Edelson PC, the law firm that is suing Tom Girardi and Erika Jayne on behalf of the families of the victims of the Lion Air Flight 610 crash, believes Diana Jenkins’ press release about her $100,000 donation to their cause was inappropriate.
“While Ms. Jenkins may be well-intentioned, we don’t believe that issuing a press release and asking for donations from the public without doing the necessary legwork is the right way forward,” the company founder said. Jay Edelson, to Vidak For Congress. exclusively.
“That said, we hope this isn’t a publicity stunt and will reserve our judgment until we hear from her directly.”
In August, Edelson PC spent at least $2 million on the five families allegedly defrauded out of settlement money by Girardi’s former company, Girardi & Keese, according to Reuters.
“As we previously announced, we have compensated the victims and are involved in ongoing lawsuits with those we believe were involved in the Girardi Ponzi plan to both get our money back and hopefully additional compensation for the Lion Air- customers,” Edelson tells us.
“To the extent that legitimate efforts are made to provide donations, [by Jenkins]100% goes directly to the victims.”
The class action attorney says Jenkins, 49, has not contacted the Chicago-based company for help locating the five families affected by Girardi’s alleged crimes or those of any of the other 184 accident victims.
“Mrs. Jenkins has never contacted our company and, other than what we’ve seen in the press, we know nothing about her alleged plans to donate money to the victims of this terrible tragedy,” said Edelson.
However, a Jenkins spokesperson tells Vidak For Congress that the donation from the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star has “zero” to do with any pending lawsuits and that she is raising money out of “sincere condolences to the victims.”
“Mrs. Jenkins feels sorry for the families of all 189 people who lost their lives and is taking action to support them,” said the Bosnian-born philanthropist.
“This has nothing to do with previous or pending lawsuits. It’s just a way for Ms. Jenkins, Sunela Foundation and its non-profit partner GVNG to support the families of the victims.”
The Jenkins spokesperson says no decision has been made on whether they will contact Edelson PC to reach the families of the crash victims, but they are working with GVNG, an established digital nonprofit that helps Bravolebrity collecting funds.
“All funds raised for the victims of Flight 610 will be collected, secured and distributed by GVNG to the immediate families of the 189 people who lost their lives,” the representative added. “Details on how family members can apply for this support from GVNG will be released in the coming months.”
According to a campaign page, the Sunela Foundation raised a total of $100,153.87 on Wednesday afternoon, with the majority of the contributions coming from Jenkins himself.
On Monday, the reality star took to Instagram to encourage her followers to donate too.
“I am blessed to be able to help people who are suffering,” she wrote. “If you want to help the victims, go to SunelaFoundation dot org. #rhobh #GVNG.”
Vidak For Congress learned exclusively last week that Jenkins apparently had another motive for helping Lion Air crash victims: to help her “RHOBH” castmates — but not Jayne.
“This is not an Erika dig,” a source close to Jenkins said earlier.
“It’s basically meant to send a message to the cast members who have expressed support for Tom’s alleged victims, but never seem to do anything to help them.”
Jayne, 51, has denied all allegations. Her estranged husband, Girardi, 83, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in February 2021 and has not addressed the allegations against him.