David Lira, once a respected attorney and son-in-law of disgraced lawyer Tom Girardi, has been sentenced to four months in prison for concealing his father-in-law’s misappropriation of settlement funds. The case stems from the aftermath of the 2018 Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia, where all 189 passengers lost their lives. Lira helped secure a $7.5 million settlement from Boeing for the victims’ families, holding the company accountable for design flaws in its 737 Max aircraft.

However, the victory soon turned into betrayal. Instead of distributing the compensation to the widows and orphans it was meant for, Girardi diverted about $3 million of the settlement money for his personal use, funding his luxurious lifestyle with his wife, reality TV star Erika Jayne.

The Cover-Up and Legal Fallout

While Girardi’s corruption was at the center of the case, Lira’s role became evident during court proceedings. Despite knowing about the missing funds, Lira continued to protect Girardi and failed to report the misconduct. In 2020, when a Chicago judge ordered the withheld payments to be released to the clients, Lira disobeyed the directive and instead helped conceal Girardi’s actions.

This June, Lira pleaded guilty to one count of contempt of court for defying the judge’s order. Federal prosecutors originally sought a three-year prison term, arguing that his repeated lies to clients and the court prolonged the suffering of victims. “Instead of sounding the alarm, Lira covered for Girardi and lied to the victims,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros.

Tom Girardi’s Wider Scheme

Girardi’s downfall has become one of the most publicized legal scandals in recent memory. Once a powerful Los Angeles attorney, Girardi was convicted in 2024 for orchestrating a decade-long Ponzi scheme that defrauded clients of at least $15 million. His lavish spending on private jets, jewelry, and entertainment, including funding Erika Jayne’s music career, painted a stark contrast to the clients he left unpaid. Girardi is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence.

A Shorter Sentence for Lira

Lira’s attorney, Damon Cheronis, argued for leniency, describing his client as “a good man who made a serious mistake.” He emphasized that Lira did not benefit financially from the scheme and had repeatedly urged Girardi to pay the victims. More than 240 letters from judges, clients, and colleagues were submitted in support of Lira’s character and integrity, influencing U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland’s decision to impose a lighter sentence than prosecutors had sought.

Judge Rowland sentenced Lira to four months in prison, followed by four months of home confinement, two years of supervised release, and 200 hours of community service. He is scheduled to begin serving his sentence in February.

A Costly Lesson

Though Lira did not steal the funds himself, his silence and loyalty to Girardi came at a heavy price. His career, once built on advocacy for victims, now stands overshadowed by complicity. The case serves as a stark reminder of how protecting wrongdoing, no matter the reason, can destroy reputations and derail decades of professional integrity.