Federal Judge Orders Giuliani to Surrender Assets to Georgia Election Workers
A federal judge delivered a significant ruling on Tuesday, mandating that Rudolph W. Giuliani must transfer a substantial portion of his assets and available cash to a receivership overseen by two Georgia election workers whom he defamed following the last presidential election. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battle stemming from Giuliani’s actions.
Mr. Giuliani, who is now 80 years old, has a period of seven days to comply with this order, which encompasses not only his New York apartment but also his classic vintage Mercedes-Benz, a vehicle previously owned by the iconic actress Lauren Bacall. In addition to these major assets, the judge has instructed Giuliani to relinquish specific items of furniture, his television set, an array of sports memorabilia, jewelry, and an impressive collection of 26 watches. Notably, one watch holds particular sentimental value for Giuliani, as he stated it was a gift from his grandfather.
Judge Lewis J. Liman of the Federal District Court in Manhattan emphasized in his ruling, “The watch may be distinctive to defendant as an item of sentimental value, but it is not distinctive to the law.” For the time being, Giuliani’s son, Andrew, is permitted to keep his father’s cherished Yankee World Series rings while legal representatives investigate whether these rings were indeed a gift from Giuliani to his son, as Andrew has claimed in court.
Once the asset transfers are completed, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, the two election workers at the center of this case, will be able to commence the sale of these assets. The proceeds from these sales will contribute towards the more than $148 million that a federal jury has determined Giuliani owes them due to the harm caused to their reputations. Moreover, Judge Liman has granted Ms. Freeman and Ms. Moss the right to pursue a lawsuit against former President Donald J. Trump for the $2 million he owes Giuliani in unpaid legal fees.
Ms. Freeman and Ms. Moss have been enduring a prolonged wait of nearly a year to receive compensation for the reputational damage inflicted by Giuliani, who previously served as a personal attorney to Trump and held the position of mayor of New York City. It’s worth noting that Giuliani has reported approximately $10 million in assets, despite the significant financial liabilities he now faces.
Following the 2020 election, Giuliani propagated false claims alleging that Freeman and Moss were involved in efforts to steal the election from Trump. These baseless accusations rapidly gained traction on social media, leading to a wave of violent threats directed at both women and their families, further emphasizing the severe repercussions of Giuliani’s statements.