The Brief

LOS ANGELES - Disgraced former attorney and ex-"Real Housewives" husband Tom Girardi was sentenced to more than seven years in prison on Tuesday, his 86th birthday, for orchestrating a long-running Ponzi scheme that defrauded clients of nearly $20 million.

What we know:

Girardi, 86, was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison for defrauding clients of approximately $19.4 million in a Ponzi scheme. The scheme spanned 10 years.

U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton delivered the sentence in downtown Los Angeles, ordering Girardi to pay over $2.3 million in restitution to four victims, in addition to fines.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Tom Girardi: 'Real Housewives' star's ex-husband, former high-powered attorney, convicted of fraud

Girardi is ordered to surrender

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