Rudy Giuliani, once hailed as “America’s Mayor,” now finds himself at the center of a legal and financial storm. A New York judge has held Giuliani in contempt of court for failing to comply with orders in a $148 million defamation lawsuit brought against him by two Georgia election workers.
Defamation, Damages, and Denial
The case stems from Giuliani’s repeated false claims that election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Moss tampered with ballots during the 2020 presidential election. He alleged, without evidence, that a video showed the pair passing USB drives, which turned out to be mints.
Giuliani has already conceded to making defamatory statements, and a jury awarded Freeman and Moss $148 million in damages—$73 million in compensation and $75 million in punitive penalties. Despite this, the court found Giuliani “willfully violated an unambiguous order” by failing to pay the required damages on time.
The initial payment of $11 million was due in October, but lawyers for the election workers said only a fraction of the assets had been received.
Court Orders Asset Turnover
To recover part of the judgment, the court ordered Giuliani to hand over several personal and valuable assets:
- His $6 million Manhattan apartment
- Over two dozen luxury watches
- A jersey signed by baseball legend Joe DiMaggio
However, Giuliani testified that some items, like the signed jersey, are missing.
Judge Lewis Liman, presiding over the case, has not yet announced further penalties but criticized Giuliani’s lack of compliance. The former Trump lawyer also faces additional hearings over whether his Florida home and Yankees World Series rings could be forfeited to satisfy his debt.
Fallout and Financial Struggles
The legal challenges come amid Giuliani’s bankruptcy filing, which was dismissed earlier this year, leaving him without the protections typically afforded to debtors. Once a prominent figure in American politics, Giuliani has seen his fortunes dwindle rapidly.
His reputation has also taken a hit. Freeman and Moss accused Giuliani of destroying their personal and professional lives. The two women said his false claims incited widespread abuse and threats, forcing them to live in fear.
Legal Troubles Multiply
The defamation case is only part of Giuliani’s mounting legal woes. He has been indicted in Georgia and Arizona on charges tied to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Giuliani’s trajectory has been a dramatic fall from grace. As mayor of New York City, he gained national acclaim for his leadership after the September 11 attacks. He later sought the presidency in 2008 and became a close advisor to former President Donald Trump.
Now, his legacy is overshadowed by scandals, lawsuits, and financial hardship.
What’s Next for Giuliani?
The road ahead looks increasingly uncertain for Giuliani. Judge Liman is expected to announce further penalties soon. Meanwhile, the prospect of losing additional properties and memorabilia looms large.
Freeman and Moss continue to fight for justice, and their case has become emblematic of the personal toll misinformation can take. As Giuliani navigates his legal quagmire, the story serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of spreading falsehoods, even for a man who once held the keys to New York City.
