Rudy Giuliani is embroiled in a new legal battle, as two former Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Moss, have filed a civil lawsuit against Giuliani, accusing him of attempting to protect his assets after a $148 million defamation verdict.
Freeman and Moss allege that Giuliani, a former lawyer to Donald Trump, is exploiting Florida’s homestead law by falsely declaring a Palm Beach condominium as his primary residence, to avoid paying judgments against him, as the Washington Examiner reports.
The lawsuit comes in the wake of a federal judge’s decision in July to dismiss Giuliani’s bankruptcy case, which had previously provided him with protections from creditors. The case, dismissed due to Giuliani's failure to meet court deadlines and fully disclose his financial situation, has left him vulnerable to the enforcement of the hefty defamation judgment. Freeman and Moss’s legal team argue that Giuliani's move to designate the Palm Beach property as his primary residence is an attempt to shelter it under Florida's homestead exemption, which safeguards primary residences from court judgments.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, aims to challenge Giuliani's claim that the Palm Beach condominium is his primary home. Freeman and Moss assert that Giuliani has not genuinely established the property as his primary residence. Their legal team points to evidence suggesting that Giuliani has spent significant time away from the condominium, calling into question the authenticity of his residency claim.
In a filing related to the case, attorneys for Freeman and Moss highlighted that Giuliani spent 34 days out of a 47-day period away from the Palm Beach property. They argue that there is little evidence to suggest that Giuliani has been physically present at the condominium for the remainder of the time. The lawsuit seeks to enforce an August 8 lien against the property, which would allow Freeman and Moss to seize and sell the condominium if necessary to satisfy the judgment.
Freeman and Moss were the targets of false accusations by Giuliani, who claimed they had engaged in fraudulent activities during the 2020 presidential election. These allegations, made as part of Giuliani's broader efforts to contest the election results, were later debunked by Georgia authorities. In December, a Washington, D.C., jury ordered Giuliani to pay $148 million in damages for defaming the two election workers.
Ted Goodman, a representative for Giuliani, has criticized the new lawsuit, describing it as an attempt to "harass and intimidate" Giuliani. Goodman also labeled the $148 million verdict as "objectively unreasonable" and noted that an appeal is still pending. According to Goodman, this latest legal action is part of a broader effort to "censor and bully" Giuliani and to discourage others from exercising their right to free speech.
Goodman further argued that the justice system has been "weaponized" against Giuliani and others who have spoken out on controversial matters, particularly those related to the 2020 election. He suggested that the lawsuit is an example of how the legal process is being used to target individuals based on their political beliefs and expressions.
Despite Giuliani's attempts to challenge the judgment and his efforts to protect his assets, Freeman and Moss continue to pursue legal action to ensure they are compensated for the harm they suffered. The August 8 lien on Giuliani's Palm Beach condominium represents a significant step in their efforts to enforce the court's ruling and hold Giuliani accountable for his defamatory statements.
The dismissal of Giuliani's Chapter 11 bankruptcy case has left him in a precarious financial position. Without the protections that bankruptcy provided, Giuliani is now fully exposed to the claims of creditors, including Freeman and Moss. The former mayor's financial difficulties have been compounded by his inability to comply with court requirements, which led to the dismissal of his bankruptcy case.
Freeman and Moss’s lawsuit is a stark reminder of the legal and financial challenges Giuliani faces as he contends with the consequences of his actions. The ongoing litigation underscores the seriousness of the defamation judgment and the lengths to which Freeman and Moss are willing to go to secure justice.
As the legal battle unfolds, the focus will remain on whether Giuliani's claims about his Palm Beach property can withstand scrutiny. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for Giuliani's financial future and the ability of Freeman and Moss to collect the damages awarded to them.
In summary, Rudy Giuliani is facing a lawsuit from Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Moss, who accuse him of attempting to shield his assets after a $148 million defamation judgment. The lawsuit challenges Giuliani's claim that a Palm Beach condominium is his primary residence, with evidence suggesting he spends little time there. The legal battle, which follows the dismissal of Giuliani's bankruptcy case, raises questions about his financial future and the enforcement of the defamation judgment.
