Rudy Giuliani: In a significant ruling, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman has ordered Rudy Giuliani, the former attorney to Donald Trump and ex-New York City mayor, to surrender a variety of valuable assets to two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, whom he defamed following the 2020 presidential election. The judgment, which totals approximately $148 million, stems from Giuliani’s baseless claims that Freeman and Moss engaged in election fraud while counting ballots in Fulton County, Georgia.
The judge’s ruling, issued on Tuesday, grants Freeman and Moss control over Giuliani’s Manhattan penthouse apartment, a 1980 Mercedes-Benz SL500, and a collection of luxury watches and sports memorabilia, among other possessions. Giuliani has just seven days to transfer these assets to a receivership, which the two women will manage. This order marks a crucial step in the ongoing effort to collect on the massive defamation judgment against Giuliani.
Freeman and Moss, who faced harassment and threats as a result of Giuliani’s defamatory remarks, expressed relief at the ruling. They highlighted the emotional and reputational toll that Giuliani’s false allegations have taken on their lives. Judge Liman emphasized the necessity of the turnover order to prevent delays in the collection process, stating, “In the absence of a turnover order to a receiver, Plaintiffs would bear the unacceptable risk of delay and Defendant’s insolvency.”
Giuliani, who has previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an attempt to freeze the judgment, has been ordered to pay $16 million each to Freeman and Moss for defamation, in addition to $20 million each for emotional distress. The court has also granted them rights to pursue Giuliani’s claims against former President Trump for unpaid legal fees, potentially adding to their financial recovery.
Despite the significant ruling, Giuliani is still contesting the fate of his Palm Beach condominium, asserting that it should be protected as his homestead. A hearing is scheduled for October 28 to determine the future of this property and whether Giuliani can retain possession of his three New York Yankees World Series rings, which he claims were gifted to his son.
This case illustrates the wider repercussions facing attorneys involved in Trump’s post-election legal battles, with Giuliani losing his law license and facing ongoing disciplinary proceedings. The ruling against Giuliani is a reminder of the accountability that can follow the spread of misinformation, particularly in the high-stakes arena of election integrity.
