English ReNews Settlement Reached in High-Profile Financial Dispute
Explore key legal terms including lawsuit, plaintiffs, defendants, allegations, subpoena, litigation, settlement, and conviction.
Reality TV personality Erika Jayne is once again making headlines as another major **legal battle** connected to her past financial dealings appears to be coming to an end.
Earlier this year, several former business partners **filed a lawsuit against** the reality star and multiple **defendants**, claiming they were involved in financial misconduct linked to companies associated with her **estranged** husband, attorney Tom Girardi. The **plaintiffs** argued that money had been mishandled and that some investors may have been victims of **fraud**.
According to attorneys involved in the dispute, both sides had originally planned to **fight it out** in court and **go to trial** later this summer. However, just weeks before the trial was expected to begin, the parties reportedly decided to **cut a deal** and privately **settle** the matter instead.
The case included several complicated **litigation claims** connected to financial records and business agreements. At one point, investigators issued a **subpoena** requesting documents **pertaining to** payments made between companies tied to the controversy.
Although Erika Jayne was not accused of personally stealing money, some of the **allegations** focused on whether she benefited from funds connected to the wider scandal. Her legal team strongly denied wrongdoing and argued that the claims against her lacked evidence.
Meanwhile, Girardi continues to **serve a prison term** after being convicted in a separate criminal case involving former clients who claimed they had been **defrauded**. Legal experts say his conviction brought even more public attention to the already controversial situation surrounding the couple.
Now that both sides have agreed to settle, attorneys say the remaining case could be dismissed before any public trial takes place. For now, the agreement appears to bring another phase of the years-long scandal surrounding the former celebrity couple to a close.
Listen to the article
Tip: You can adjust the speed of the audio by clicking the 1.0x button.
Interesting words
These are the words that we think are interesting and worth learning.
βοΈ Filed a lawsuit against
π FILED Ι LOO-soot Ι-GENST
π¬ Imagine a giant FILE folder chasing someone through a courthouse. The folder suddenly opens and launches legal papers like missiles at the person. You have officially filed a lawsuit against them.
π€
- file a lawsuit against someone
- file a lawsuit over
- file a lawsuit for damages
βοΈ
- The company filed a lawsuit against its competitor.
- She filed a lawsuit over the defective product.
- Several families filed a lawsuit for compensation.
π₯ Defendants
π di-FEN-dΙnts
π¬ A giant shield labeled "DEFEND" protects several people standing in court. They are the people being accused and defending themselves.
π€
- named defendants
- multiple defendants
- defendants in the case
βοΈ
- Three defendants appeared in court.
- The defendants denied all accusations.
- Lawyers represented the defendants.
π£οΈ Claim
π KLAYM
π¬ A pirate plants a huge flag on an island and shouts, "I CLAIM THIS LAND!" He may or may not actually own it.
π€
- claim that
- make a claim
- insurance claim
βοΈ
- She claimed she was innocent.
- The company made a claim for damages.
- He claims to have seen the event.
π« Misconduct
π mis-KON-dukt
π¬ A teacher catches a student riding a tiger through a classroom while throwing papers everywhere. Extreme bad behavior = misconduct.
π€
- professional misconduct
- employee misconduct
- allegations of misconduct
βοΈ
- The officer was fired for misconduct.
- The school investigated misconduct claims.
- Professional misconduct can damage careers.
π Estranged Husband
π i-STRAYNJD HUZ-bΙnd
π¬ A husband stands on a tiny island floating miles away from his wife. They are still married but emotionally separated.
π€
- estranged husband
- estranged wife
- estranged couple
βοΈ
- She spoke about her estranged husband.
- The estranged couple lived separately.
- Her estranged husband filed for divorce.
π¨ββοΈ Plaintiffs
π PLAYN-tiffs
π¬ A group of people carrying giant complaint banners runs into court saying, "We want justice!"
π€
- plaintiffs argued
- lead plaintiff
- plaintiffs in the lawsuit
βοΈ
- The plaintiffs sought compensation.
- Plaintiffs presented evidence.
- The plaintiffs won the case.
πΈ Fraud
π FRAWD
π¬ A magician pulls money out of people's wallets while distracting them with fireworks. Trickery for money = fraud.
π€
- commit fraud
- fraud investigation
- fraud charges
βοΈ
- The businessman was charged with fraud.
- Police investigated fraud allegations.
- Fraud can result in prison time.
βοΈ Dispute
π dis-PYOOT
π¬ Two kings argue over a single golden potato while their armies wait behind them.
π€
- legal dispute
- contract dispute
- settle a dispute
βοΈ
- They had a dispute over property.
- The dispute lasted years.
- The companies settled the dispute.
π₯ Fight It Out
π FYTE it OUT
π¬ Two lawyers wearing boxing gloves battle inside a courtroom ring.
π€
- fight it out in court
- fight it out legally
- fight it out publicly
βοΈ
- The parties decided to fight it out in court.
- The rivals fought it out for control.
- They fought it out during negotiations.
ποΈ Go To Trial
π GO tΙ TRY-Ιl
π¬ A giant courtroom door opens like the entrance to a gladiator arena.
π€
- go to trial
- criminal trial
- trial date
βοΈ
- The case will go to trial next month.
- He preferred settlement instead of trial.
- Several witnesses testified at trial.
π€ Cut a Deal
π KUT Ι DEEL
π¬ Two businesspeople literally cut a giant DEAL-shaped cake in half and shake hands.
π€
- cut a deal with
- cut a deal quickly
- cut a deal privately
βοΈ
- The companies cut a deal.
- The suspect cut a deal with prosecutors.
- They cut a deal before trial.
β Settle
π SET-Ιl
π¬ Two angry dragons stop fighting and sit together drinking tea.
π€
- settle a case
- settle a dispute
- settle out of court
βοΈ
- The parties settled before trial.
- They settled the disagreement peacefully.
- The lawsuit was settled privately.
π Litigation
π lit-Ι-GAY-shΙn
π¬ Imagine a giant book titled "LITIGATION" so heavy that lawyers need forklifts to move it.
π€
- ongoing litigation
- litigation process
- litigation costs
βοΈ
- The company faced lengthy litigation.
- Litigation can be expensive.
- The litigation lasted years.
π Subpoena
π sΙ-PEE-nΙ
π¬ A giant paper hand grabs someone and drags them into court shouting, "COME HERE NOW!"
π€
- issue a subpoena
- receive a subpoena
- subpoena documents
βοΈ
- Investigators issued a subpoena.
- She received a subpoena to testify.
- The subpoena requested records.
π Pertaining To
π pΙr-TAY-ning tΙ
π¬ Imagine a giant arrow pointing directly at a folder. Everything the arrow points at is "pertaining to" that topic.
π€
- pertaining to
- documents pertaining to
- information pertaining to
βοΈ
- The email pertains to the project.
- We reviewed documents pertaining to taxes.
- The law pertains to businesses.
β‘ Controversy
π KON-trΙ-vΙr-see
π¬ Imagine a giant celebrity standing on a stage while two huge crowds fight around themβone crowd throws roses πΉ, the other throws tomatoes π . Reporters, cameras, and social media are exploding everywhere. Everyone is arguing.
π€
- spark controversy
- cause controversy
- stir controversy
- public controversy
βοΈ
- The decision sparked controversy.
- The actor became involved in a controversy.
- The company's advertisement caused controversy.
β οΈ Allegation
π al-Ι-GAY-shΙn
π¬ A giant speech bubble drops from the sky saying "YOU DID IT!" but contains no proof.
π€
- serious allegations
- allegation of fraud
- deny allegations
βοΈ
- The allegations were investigated.
- He denied all allegations.
- Several allegations surfaced online.
π Serve a Prison Term
π SERV Ι PRIZ-Ιn TERM
π¬ A waiter in prison clothes serves a giant calendar instead of food. Each page represents a day in prison.
π€
- serve a prison term
- serve time
- lengthy prison term
βοΈ
- He is serving a prison term.
- She served five years in prison.
- The judge imposed a prison term.
βοΈ Convict
π kΙn-VIKT (verb)
π¬ A judge stamps a giant red "GUILTY" mark onto a criminal's shirt.
π€
- convict someone
- convicted of fraud
- convicted criminal
βοΈ
- The jury convicted him of fraud.
- She was convicted last year.
- The court convicted several defendants.
β Dismiss the Case
π dis-MISS thΙ KAYS
π¬ A judge presses a giant red eject button and the entire case file flies out of the courtroom like a rocket.
π€
- dismiss the case
- case dismissed
- motion to dismiss
βοΈ
- The judge dismissed the case.
- Lawyers requested dismissal.
- The case was dismissed due to lack of evidence.
Like what you've read?
Begin learning journey Signup is free and takes just a moment.
Having an account lets you track your learning journey and see your progress.
Learn the words here in depth, using our repetition system.