Judge Orders Rudy Giuliani to Appear in Court to Explain Missing Assets
Background
A judge has ordered Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, to appear in a New York courtroom on Thursday to explain why he missed a deadline to surrender his belongings as part of a $148 million defamation judgment.
The Judgment
In 2022, a jury awarded $148 million to Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, two former Georgia election workers who were awarded the massive judgment after Giuliani accused them of ballot fraud during the 2020 election. The lies led to death threats against them that made them fear for their lives.
The Missing Assets
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman had set an October 29 deadline for Giuliani to surrender many of his possessions to representatives for Freeman and Moss, but none of the items have been turned over yet. The possessions include his $5 million Upper East Side apartment, a 1980 Mercedes once owned by movie star Lauren Bacall, and a variety of other belongings, such as his television, a shirt signed by New York Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio, and 26 luxury watches.
The Court’s Response
In response to the report by Freeman and Moss’ attorneys, Judge Liman changed the status conference to an in-person hearing and specifically ordered Giuliani to appear in person. This is a significant development, as Giuliani’s lawyers have argued that Freeman and Moss should not be allowed to obtain and sell his belongings while his appeal is pending in a federal court in Washington.
Giuliani’s Response
Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Giuliani, said that Giuliani has made his possessions available to Freeman and Moss. However, he did not directly answer questions about why no assets have been turned over so far. Goodman accused opposing counsel of "bullying and intimidating" Giuliani, saying that they are trying to render him "penniless and homeless."
The Current Situation
As of now, Giuliani’s lawyers have not provided an inventory of the property stored in a facility in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, which they claim some of the valuable items have been moved to. The lawyers for Freeman and Moss are calling for Giuliani to provide an inventory of the property and for the court to take action to ensure that Giuliani complies with the court’s orders.
Conclusion
The situation surrounding the missing assets is a developing story, and it remains to be seen how the court will address the matter. One thing is clear, however: the high-profile case has shed light on the harm caused by defamatory statements and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.
FAQs
- What is the outcome of the defamation lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani?
- A jury awarded $148 million to Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, two former Georgia election workers who were accused of ballot fraud.
- What are the assets that Giuliani is being ordered to surrender?
- The assets include his $5 million Upper East Side apartment, a 1980 Mercedes, a 26 luxury watches, and other valuable items.
- Why is Giuliani being ordered to appear in court?
- Giuliani missed a deadline to surrender his belongings as part of the $148 million defamation judgment, and the court has ordered him to explain why.
