Crime and Courts
Rudy Giuliani Faces Treacherous Week in Court
After being found in contempt twice in one week, Rudy Giuliani is set to face another potentially treacherous week ahead at a trial to determine whether his Florida condominium and three World Series rings must be turned over to two Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation award against him.
Contempt Findings
The former New York City mayor was found in contempt on Friday by a Washington judge for repeating false claims that the workers corruptly counted votes in the 2020 presidential election. Last Monday, a New York judge found him in contempt for failing to adequately turn over evidence about his assets.
Upcoming Trial
On Thursday, Giuliani, 80, faces trial in New York over whether he can keep his Palm Beach, Florida, condominium, which he asserts he established as his permanent residence a year ago, and whether he must turn over three World Series rings that he says he gave to his son in 2018. Judge Lewis J. Liman, who will preside over the juryless trial in Manhattan federal court, is the same jurist who found Giuliani in contempt last Monday.
Pre-Trial Rulings
With his contempt order, Liman made rulings setting Giuliani back in the upcoming trial. He said Giuliani cannot offer testimony about texts or emails to show that he moved his residence to Florida since he failed to turn over any texts or emails as part of the pretrial exchange of evidence between lawyers. Liman also said he can make adverse inferences about “gaps” in evidence resulting from Giuliani’s failure to turn over materials, including by rejecting any claims that Giuliani changed his professional services, such as doctors and lawyers, to individuals practicing in Florida after Jan. 1, 2024.
Giuliani’s Defense
Giuliani has conceded that he sometimes did not turn over everything requested in the case because he believed what was being sought was overly broad, inappropriate or even a “trap” set by lawyers for the plaintiffs. In a recent court appearance in New York City, lawyers for Giuliani dismissed allegations that the former mayor is hiding assets to avoid paying a defamation payment he owes to two Georgia election workers.
Assets in Dispute
The Florida property and World Series rings are the primary assets still in dispute from a portfolio of Giuliani assets that was estimated to exceed $10 million. The Palm Beach condominium is believed to be worth more than $3 million. He has already given up assets including a New York City apartment worth about $5 million, a 1980 Mercedes once owned by movie star Lauren Bacall and numerous luxury watches and other belongings.
Conclusion
Giuliani’s upcoming trial will be a critical moment in his legal battles over his assets. The outcome of the trial will determine whether he must turn over his Florida condominium and World Series rings to the Georgia election workers. The trial is set to take place on Thursday in Manhattan federal court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the dispute about?
A: The dispute is over whether Rudy Giuliani must turn over his Florida condominium and three World Series rings to two Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation award against him.
Q: Why was Giuliani found in contempt?
A: Giuliani was found in contempt twice in one week for repeating false claims about the 2020 presidential election and for failing to adequately turn over evidence about his assets.
Q: What are the assets in dispute?
A: The primary assets in dispute are the Florida property and World Series rings, which are valued at over $10 million.
