A contentious court hearing unfolds as former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani faces mounting pressure over his assets in Manhattan federal court.
According to CNBC, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Liman threatened to hold Giuliani in contempt if he fails to surrender personal property to satisfy a $146 million defamation verdict awarded to two Georgia election workers.
The dispute centers around Giuliani's alleged reluctance to hand over luxury items, including watches, baseball memorabilia, and a vintage 1980 Mercedes-Benz. Judge Liman expressed skepticism towards Giuliani's lawyer Kenneth Caruso's suggestion that his client was unaware of the location of certain assets. The court has given the plaintiffs' lawyers until Monday to establish protocols for the property transfer.
The plaintiffs' attorney, Aaron Nathan, raised serious concerns about Giuliani's compliance with court orders. Nathan alleges that Giuliani has emptied his Manhattan apartment of items subject to forfeiture. The legal team claims they have received minimal cooperation in locating these assets, with the majority of physical property's whereabouts remaining unknown.
Giuliani maintains that the disputed items are distributed across his properties in New York and Palm Beach, Florida, as well as a storage facility in Ronkonkoma, Long Island. However, he claims to lack access to the storage facility. The situation has grown more complex with Nathan's allegations that Giuliani has established secret bank accounts and created limited liability companies following the defamation verdict.
Before entering the courthouse, Giuliani expressed his frustration with the proceedings. He characterized the judge's order requiring his personal appearance as politically motivated. His demeanor during the hearing alternated between anger, animation, and visible frustration.
The core of this legal dispute stems from Giuliani's statements about Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Moss. The former New York mayor was found liable for defaming these individuals by making false claims about their conduct during the 2020 presidential election vote counting process. His role as then-President Donald Trump's legal representative during this period has become central to the case.
Judge Liman addressed Giuliani's legal team with pointed criticism. The judge made his position clear regarding the consequences of non-compliance:
The notion that your client doesn't know where his assets are is farcical. All the property must be turned over to the receiver and if not, I will hold him in contempt.
When questioned about recent communication with Trump following the latest presidential election, Giuliani acknowledged contact but declined to divulge details. His response outside the courtroom remained defiant as he expressed confidence in eventually reversing the verdict through appeal.
The court has established a clear timeline for the next steps in this process. The Monday deadline for the plaintiffs' lawyers to provide specific instructions about property transfer represents a critical juncture in the case. This development puts additional pressure on Giuliani to comply with court orders or face potential contempt charges.
The case highlights the ongoing legal consequences faced by key figures involved in challenging the 2020 election results. Giuliani's current predicament demonstrates the substantial financial and legal repercussions that can result from making unfounded claims about election integrity.
The legal confrontation between former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and two Georgia election workers has reached a critical phase in Manhattan federal court. Judge Lewis Liman's threat of contempt charges stems from Giuliani's alleged non-compliance with court orders to surrender personal assets worth $146 million.
The case originated from Giuliani's false claims about election fraud during the 2020 presidential election count, resulting in a significant defamation verdict favoring Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Moss. As the Monday deadline approaches for establishing property transfer protocols, all eyes remain on whether Giuliani will comply with the court's demands or face contempt proceedings.
