Tom Girardi’s lawyers gave a glimpse of their defense on Thursday in his upcoming criminal trial: the former chief accountant of his now-defunct law firm, Girardi Keese, stole client funds while hiding the financial information from their client, who was already suffering from cognitive decline.

Girardi’s lawyers, all federal public defenders, previewed their case at a hearing in downtown Los Angeles ahead of the Aug. 6 trial.

Tom Girardi of Girardi Keese. (Courtesy photo) Tom Girardi of Girardi Keese. (Courtesy photo)