Rudolph W. Giuliani, once the celebrated mayor of New York City, found himself in a precarious legal position, facing potential contempt of court charges for his failure to comply with a court order. The order stemmed from a defamation lawsuit filed by two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, whom Giuliani falsely accused of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election. A judge had ordered Giuliani to pay a substantial $148 million judgment to the women, with an initial $11 million payment due in assets. However, Giuliani repeatedly missed deadlines and sought extensions, leading to the current contempt hearing.
The court proceedings required Giuliani’s physical presence despite his requests for a virtual appearance citing medical reasons. Judge Lewis J. Liman, who had previously engaged in tense exchanges with Giuliani, insisted on his in-person testimony. Giuliani, displaying a noticeable limp and a persistent cough, appeared in court to explain the delays in handing over his assets, which included a Manhattan penthouse, a collection of Yankees memorabilia, luxury watches, and a vintage Mercedes-Benz convertible.
The crux of the dispute revolved around the transfer of these assets, originally scheduled for October 2023. Giuliani maintained that he had substantially complied with the court’s directives, arguing that some of the requested items were no longer in his possession. In a personal plea to Judge Liman, Giuliani asserted he had surrendered everything he could. However, the plaintiffs’ lawyers countered that Giuliani remained defiant despite repeated warnings, highlighting the incomplete transfer of several key assets.
The plaintiffs’ legal team detailed the ongoing issues with the asset transfer, specifically citing problems with the transfer of Giuliani’s Upper East Side apartment, valued at over $6 million. The transfer was stalled due to outdated paperwork related to Giuliani’s divorce from his ex-wife, Judith Giuliani. Further complicating matters, the title to Giuliani’s vintage Mercedes, purportedly once owned by actress Lauren Bacall, remained untransferred. Adding to the list of disputed items was a signed and framed Joe DiMaggio Yankees jersey, which Giuliani claimed was missing from his apartment. The plaintiffs’ lawyers suspected the jersey was removed before they could gain access to the property.
These ongoing disputes painted a picture of non-compliance, leading the plaintiffs’ lawyers to express their frustration and urge the court to take action. They argued that Giuliani’s explanations were inconsistent with reality and that his continued defiance warranted consequences. The hearing underscored a significant downturn in Giuliani’s legal standing, adding another layer of complexity to the multiple legal battles he faced stemming from his role as Donald Trump’s personal lawyer.
Beyond the asset transfer dispute, Giuliani faced further legal challenges. His lawyers had withdrawn from the handover case citing ethical concerns, later revealed to be related to Giuliani’s lack of cooperation in disclosing information about a Florida condominium and providing access to his electronic devices. Furthermore, Giuliani faced potential contempt charges in a Washington, D.C. court for allegedly continuing to propagate false claims about the two Georgia election workers. This confluence of legal troubles placed Giuliani in a precarious position, potentially facing severe penalties, including jail time, if found in contempt of court.
