NEW YORK – A federal judge in Manhattan has found Rudy Giuliani in contempt of court for failing to provide crucial information about his assets in connection with a $148 million defamation judgment awarded to two Georgia election workers. The ruling, delivered Monday by Judge Lewis J. Liman, follows a two-day hearing during which Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and personal attorney to Donald Trump, testified about his compliance—or lack thereof—with court orders.
The hearing was initiated after attorneys for Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss accused Giuliani of repeatedly ignoring directives to disclose and liquidate assets to satisfy the judgment. The case stems from Giuliani’s false claims that the election workers had manipulated ballots during the 2020 presidential election.
Defiance and Delays in Compliance
During the hearing, Giuliani, 80, testified in person for three hours on Friday before continuing remotely on Monday from his Palm Beach, Florida, condominium. Initially appearing with an American flag backdrop—used for his online program—he was instructed by the judge to switch to a plain background.
In his testimony, Giuliani admitted to withholding certain materials, arguing that some of the plaintiffs’ requests were overly broad, inappropriate, or deliberately designed to entrap him. He also highlighted the strain of juggling multiple legal battles, stating that the demands of his cases made it “impossible to function in an official way” up to 40% of the time.
Despite some asset transfers, including the surrender of a Mercedes-Benz and his Manhattan apartment, Freeman and Moss’s attorneys claim Giuliani has failed to provide essential documentation or fully comply with the court’s orders. They allege that significant items, such as sports memorabilia—including a Joe DiMaggio jersey—and luxury watches, remain unaccounted for. “Not a single dollar” has been transferred from Giuliani’s nonexempt cash accounts, according to court filings.
Dispute Over Palm Beach Property
One contentious issue involves Giuliani’s Palm Beach condominium, which his attorneys argue is his primary residence and therefore exempt from seizure. However, Aaron Nathan, an attorney for the plaintiffs, urged the court to consider Giuliani’s incomplete asset disclosures as evidence to the contrary. If the property is deemed non-exempt, it could be liquidated to satisfy the judgment.
Giuliani’s lawyer, Joseph Cammarata, described such an outcome as a “civil death penalty,” asserting it would unjustly strip the former mayor of his home before a mid-January trial that will determine the ultimate fate of his assets. Among the contested items are Giuliani’s World Series rings, which also face potential forfeiture.
Looking Ahead
Giuliani’s legal team remains confident that an appeal will protect his primary residence and disputed possessions. Meanwhile, the plaintiffs’ attorneys continue to press for compliance, accusing Giuliani of engaging in a “consistent pattern of willful defiance” to evade accountability.
The defamation case represents a high-stakes chapter in Giuliani’s ongoing legal and financial troubles, underscoring the intense scrutiny surrounding his role in perpetuating false election claims.
Photo from Fox 4 News
