
Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and lawyer for Donald Trump, faces asset seizure following a $146 million defamation judgment.
At a Glance
- Giuliani ordered to surrender assets, including NYC apartment and luxury items, to election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss
- Federal judge dismissed Giuliani’s bankruptcy case due to “uncooperative conduct”
- Giuliani’s disclosed assets of $10.6 million fall far short of the $146 million judgment
- Freeman and Moss can pursue Giuliani’s claim that Trump owes him legal fees
- Giuliani faces additional legal troubles, including criminal charges in Georgia
Court Orders Asset Surrender in Defamation Case
In a significant legal development, Rudy Giuliani has been ordered by U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman to turn over substantial assets to Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. This ruling stems from a $146 million defamation judgment against Giuliani for false claims of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election.
The assets to be surrendered include Giuliani’s New York City apartment, valued at $5.7 million, a Mercedes-Benz, luxury watches, and other valuable possessions. Judge Liman appointed Freeman and Moss as receivers of these assets, granting them the authority to sell the items immediately. This decision comes after Giuliani’s attempts to halt collection through bankruptcy proceedings failed.
Bankruptcy Case Dismissed
Giuliani’s efforts to shield his assets through bankruptcy were thwarted when U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane dismissed his case. The judge cited Giuliani’s “uncooperative conduct” and failure to comply with court orders as reasons for the dismissal. This decision allows Giuliani’s creditors to pursue legal remedies, including asset seizure.
“Transparency into Mr. Giuliani’s finances has proven to be an elusive goal” and “sees no evidence that this will change,” stated U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane.
The dismissal of the bankruptcy case exposes Giuliani to the full force of the defamation judgment. With disclosed assets of only $10.6 million against debts nearing $153 million, it’s clear that Freeman and Moss are unlikely to receive the full amount awarded by the court.
Legal Implications and Ongoing Disputes
The court order allows Freeman and Moss to pursue Giuliani’s claim that former President Trump owes him legal fees for post-2020 election work. However, Giuliani has objected to this action until after the upcoming election. He’s also attempting to retain his Palm Beach condo by declaring it his homestead.
“Mr. Giuliani has proven time and again that he will never voluntarily comply with court orders, much less voluntarily satisfy Plaintiffs’ judgment,” stated attorneys for Freeman and Moss, highlighting the necessity of these legal measures.
Giuliani’s legal troubles extend beyond this defamation case. He faces criminal charges in Georgia related to efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 election results and is an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal case on similar charges. He has pleaded not guilty to these accusations.
Criticism and Defense
Giuliani’s spokesperson, Ted Goodman, has criticized the $146 million judgment as “objectively unreasonable” and accused the plaintiffs of harassment and intimidation. “This lawsuit has always been designed to censor and bully the mayor, and to deter others from exercising their right to speak up and to speak out,” Goodman stated.
Despite these claims, the court has moved forward with enforcing the judgment. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman emphasized the necessity of the turnover order, stating, “In the absence of a turnover order to a receiver, Plaintiffs would bear the unacceptable risk of delay and Defendant’s insolvency.”
As this legal saga unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of spreading false information and the importance of protecting the integrity of the electoral process. The case against Giuliani continues to have far-reaching implications for both the legal and political landscapes in the United States.
Sources:
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/a-judge-threw-out-rudy-giulianis-bankruptcy-case-heres-what-that-means
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/giuliani-defamation-bankrupt-assets-net-worth-b2604738.html
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/08/30/rudy-giuliani-defamation-payment/75014120007/
- https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4855807-georgia-election-workers-giuliani-assets/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/judge-punishes-rudy-giuliani-flagrant-disregard-court-orders-rcna120412
- https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4947157-rudy-giuliani-ordered-property-turned/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4xz7e59zvo