ERIKA Jayne has been slammed for supporting actor Michael Rapaport’s calls to “Free Erika”.
The RHOBH star, 50, and her ex Tom Girardi, 82, have been accused of stealing millions from the families of plane crash victims.
Amid the controversy, Michael defended Erika on Andy Cohen’s show Watch What Happens Live on Sunday night.
The comedian suggested creating a “Free Erika” movement, much like “Free Britney” – which was sparked in a bid to remove Britney Spears from her “abusive” conservatorship.
Michael raged: “[Erika] has handled herself with as much class and dignity and grace under probably as much scrutiny as any housewife has ever come under.
“All you fake fans that have turned your back on this woman who has given you so much for so many years… She is innocent until proven guilty.
“How dare you, shame on you, ‘Free Britney’ yes, but ‘Free Erika Jayne’.”
Michael tweeted a segment of his speech on Twitter and Erika replied, “Love you Michael Rapaport,” with a heart emoji.
Critics slammed the Bravo star for supporting Michael’s argument that she needs to be “freed”.
One raged: “Free Erika..? You can’t even compare Erika and Britney!
“It’s totally two different situation and the fact that Michael would even use that? Zip It.”
Another wrote, “I’m team victims FOR SURE,” in regards to Erika’s embezzlement accusations, while a third asked: “Are you not free??”
Erika filed for divorce from Tom in November after 21 years of marriage.
A month later, they were hit with a lawsuit for embezzlement that claimed he had “resorted to embezzling the proceeds of settlements,” including ones for those who had lost loved ones in a plane crash.
The complaint accused him of embezzling the settlement proceeds in order to “continue funding his and Erika’s lavish Beverly Hills lifestyles.”
She addressed the allegations in last week’s episode of RHOBH, insisting she has “nothing to do” with the lawsuit.
After admitting she was doing “f**king horrible,” Erika said: “This sucks so bad.
“Things that are being said are just wrong. People are believing them and they’re everywhere and it’s terrible and I’m here by myself.
“And what’s being said, it’s just insane. That my divorce is a sham. But nobody cares about the facts.”
Last week, the reality star faced further scrutiny as she was accused of receiving $25million in luxury items and jewels from Tom’s law firm.
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https://thecelebreport.com/television/home-and-away-forced-to-postpone-filming-as-sydney-set-plunged-into-coronavirus-lockdown
