"Disgraced Attorney Tom Girardi to Face Trial After Competency Ruling"

Tom Girardi, the former attorney accused of stealing over $15 million from clients, has been declared competent to stand trial by a federal judge in Los Angeles. This decision allows for Girardi, who faces wire-fraud charges with the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence, to be held accountable despite his dementia diagnosis. The ruling is significant for the victims of his alleged long-running Ponzi scheme, including those injured in the San Bruno pipeline explosion. Girardi's legal team had argued his profound memory problems rendered him unable to understand the charges or assist in his defense, but prosecutors accused him of exaggerating his symptoms to avoid trial. The full details of the judge's analysis will be revealed once the ruling is unsealed.