L.A. Times Studios and ABC News Studios Announce ‘The Housewife and the Hustler 2: The Reckoning’ Documentary
The 90-minute documentary, which highlights the series of investigations by The Times’ Matt Hamilton and Harriet Ryan, will begin streaming Monday, Feb. 12, on Hulu
L.A. Times Studios and ABC News Studios today announced the documentary “The Housewife and The Hustler 2: The Reckoning,” a shocking investigation into ex-powerhouse attorney Tom Girardi and the fall of his legal empire, which came crashing down amidst allegations he was stealing from the very clients he swore to protect. For the first time, viewers will have a front-row seat to the long-awaited moment when Girardi’s estranged wife and reality TV star Erika Jayne finally meets with some of her husband’s victims. The 90-minute documentary explores how the Girardi scandal exposed systemic failures in the California legal system and whether justice will ever be a reality for Girardi’s victims. “The Housewife and The Hustler 2: The Reckoning” begins streaming Monday, Feb. 12, only on Hulu.
The documentary features interviews with L.A. Times investigative reporters Matt Hamilton and Harriet Ryan, whose series of investigations trace the four decades of client complaints and lawsuits against Girardi that went largely ignored by public agencies. Additional interviews include Girardi’s former legal consultant Kimberly Archie, who helped organize the meeting with the victims; Jayne’s attorney Evan Borges; and Jim Wilkes, Jayne’s personal friend and lawyer who has helped her rebuild her life following the public breakdown of her marriage. Girardi’s former clients Danny Barnes, Joe Ruigomez and Josie Hernandez share the heartbreaking details of how they say the former attorney stole money from their settlements. Marco Morante and Chris Psaila, the co-owners of the critically acclaimed design studio Marco Marco, who spent years working with Jayne and are now suing her, recount the shocking raid of their studio and the devastating aftermath of the federal investigation prompted by accusations of fraud by Jayne. The documentary features analysis from legal and pop culture experts, including Emily D. Baker, former Los Angeles deputy district attorney and host of “The Emily Show”; Cesie Alvarez and Angela Angotti, attorneys and hosts of “The Bravo Docket” podcast; Kiki Monique, host of the “Pop Crime” podcast; Kate Casey, pop culture expert and host of the “Reality Life with Kate Casey” podcast, and more.
This is the second collaboration between L.A. Times Studios and ABC News Studios. Their first, “The Randall Scandal: Love, Loathing, and Vanderpump,” highlighting the 2022 investigation by The Times’ Amy Kaufman and Meg James, premiered in May 2023.
“The Housewife and The Hustler 2: The Reckoning” is produced for Hulu by ABC News Studios in collaboration with L.A. Times Studios. The film is produced by Jake Lefferman, Knez Walker and Katie Muldowney. For ABC News Studios, Eman Varoqua and Victoria Thompson serve as executive producers, and David Sloan is senior executive producer. ABC News Studios is led by Mike Kelley, Reena Mehta is the SVP of Streaming and Digital Content, and Kim Godwin is the president of ABC News. Sharon Matthews, Shani Hilton, Chris Argentieri, Kevin Merida, Leslie Lindsey and Maurice James are executive producers for L.A. Times Studios.
