Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani faces potential civil contempt charges amid an escalating dispute over his Manhattan assets and personal belongings.
According to Reuters, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman has warned Giuliani about severe consequences for failing to surrender his property to Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss, who won a $148 million defamation judgment against him.
The confrontation stems from Giuliani's reluctance to comply with an October 22 court order requiring him to hand over his assets within seven days. Freeman and Moss claim Giuliani has actively resisted their collection efforts and ignored inquiries about his property locations. The situation has reached a critical point, with Judge Liman setting a final deadline for next week to ensure compliance with the court's demands.
Freeman and Moss's legal team has raised significant concerns about Giuliani's financial activities. Their attorney, Aaron Nathan, revealed troubling developments, including Giuliani's creation of new bank accounts and a limited liability company.
The plaintiffs specifically targeted his Manhattan co-op apartment, a 1980 Mercedes, sports memorabilia, and various cash accounts. Recent reports indicate that Giuliani's apartment has been mysteriously emptied of most belongings, further complicating the collection process.
Giuliani's defense team maintains that he is cooperating with the turnover order. They argue that Freeman and Moss are creating unnecessary obstacles by refusing to work with the co-op and his bank. The tension escalated when Giuliani's lawyer accused the plaintiffs of being vindictive for demanding a watch that belonged to Giuliani's grandfather, prompting a sharp rebuke from Judge Liman who emphasized that heirloom status holds no legal significance.
After the hearing, Giuliani made his position clear. The former mayor stated:
They can have all my property but they're not going to get me to back off from what I believe in.
The threat of contempt charges arrives amid mounting legal challenges for the former Trump attorney. His recent attempt to seek protection through Chapter 11 bankruptcy failed after the judge dismissed the case, citing incomplete financial disclosures.
This dismissal removed crucial legal protections, leaving Giuliani exposed to creditors like Freeman and Moss. Beyond this case, he faces criminal charges in Georgia and Arizona related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Judge Liman has outlined clear expectations for avoiding contempt charges. During proceedings, he stated:
He's not going to be in contempt if he's made efforts and it's impossible to comply with the order, but that's the standard that he's going to be held to.
The ongoing legal battles have severely impacted Giuliani's professional standing. His disbarment in New York represents a dramatic fall for the former U.S. Attorney who once held significant influence in legal and political circles. These developments coincide with Trump's victory in Tuesday's election, where he defeated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
The legal confrontation between Giuliani and the Georgia election workers illustrates the real-world consequences of defamatory statements. The $148 million verdict, combined with Judge Liman's contempt threat, has transformed campaign rhetoric into tangible legal obligations. Giuliani's resistance to surrendering his assets, despite court orders, demonstrates the complex intersection of political beliefs and legal accountability.
As next week's deadline approaches, Giuliani must choose between compliance and potentially facing contempt charges. Meanwhile, Freeman and Moss continue their determined pursuit of justice, backed by a court system showing little patience for delayed compliance with its orders.
