Rudy Giuliani, the former personal attorney to Donald Trump, has been ordered by a federal judge to surrender his luxury assets to two women he defamed.
This comes after a defamation judgment of nearly $150 million was awarded to Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, who were falsely accused by Giuliani of election fraud.
The assets that Giuliani must surrender include his upscale Manhattan apartment, a collectible Mercedes-Benz, and a collection of luxury watches.
These assets hold both financial and personal value, such as the Mercedes-Benz previously owned by actress Lauren Bacall and a watch that belonged to Giuliani’s grandfather.
Giuliani has been given a seven-day window to comply with the court's order.
This ruling is part of an ongoing legal battle stemming from his defamatory claims against Freeman and Moss.
Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an attempt to protect himself from financial collapse, but a New York federal bankruptcy judge dismissed his case, leaving him vulnerable to the court's orders.
Giuliani has not yet paid any portion of the judgment and has not secured a court stay to delay the payment, raising concerns about his financial stability.
In addition to surrendering his luxury assets, Freeman and Moss are also allowed to pursue approximately $2 million that Giuliani claims he is owed for legal work performed after the 2020 election.
This claim involves unpaid fees from Trump’s 2020 campaign and the Republican National Committee, further complicating Giuliani's financial situation.
Giuliani's attempts to protect sentimental items, such as his grandfather's watch, have been met with legal challenges.
The plaintiffs' attorneys offered to exempt the watch from collection if Giuliani could prove its value did not exceed a $1,000 exemption limit, but he failed to provide the necessary evidence. Therefore, the watch must also be surrendered.
The court's ruling reflects the prioritization of victims' rights over defendants' personal interests.
Judge Lewis Liman's comments during the proceedings highlighted the irony of Giuliani's concerns about media attention, given his own actions that cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process.
The outcome of this case not only affects Giuliani personally but also serves as a cautionary tale for others in positions of influence who may be tempted to spread unfounded claims.
The ongoing appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit adds complexity to the situation as Giuliani seeks to overturn the defamation verdict while dealing with the immediate consequences of the court's orders.