A dramatic turn of events unfolds in the legal saga of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani as his attorneys file to withdraw from his high-profile defamation case.
According to the New York Post, attorneys Kenneth Caruso and David Labkowski have submitted court documents in Manhattan federal court requesting to abandon their defense of Giuliani in the $148 million defamation judgment case involving two Georgia election workers.
The lawyers' withdrawal request comes amid what appears to be fundamental disagreements over legal strategy, though specific details remain under wraps due to heavy redactions in the four-page court filing.
The case centers on Giuliani's false claims about election workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea "Shaye" Moss, during the 2020 presidential election.
Judge Lewis Liman recently criticized Giuliani's apparent reluctance to disclose information about his assets. The judge expressed skepticism about Giuliani's claimed ignorance regarding his asset locations, suggesting he would compel the former mayor to testify if necessary to obtain truthful and complete answers.
The Georgia election workers are actively pursuing Giuliani's assets, including his Upper East Side apartment, watch collection, Yankees memorabilia, and a vintage Mercedes once owned by Lauren Bacall. Their aggressive collection efforts stem from their successful defamation lawsuit against Giuliani last year.
Giuliani's financial situation has become increasingly dire, with the former mayor claiming extreme hardship. He has even resorted to launching a GoFundMe campaign, stating he cannot afford basic necessities like food due to ongoing litigation costs.
The defamation lawsuit is just one part of Rudy Giuliani's growing legal issues. He is also facing criminal charges in Arizona and Georgia connected to alleged efforts to challenge the 2020 election outcome. Giuliani has denied any wrongdoing in either case.
The Georgia case, which includes former President Donald Trump and several other associates, has faced delays. The pause in proceedings stems from concerns about Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis's prior relationship with a former prosecutor involved in the matter.
In court filings, Judge Liman criticized Giuliani's legal team, calling the claim that Giuliani is unaware of his own assets "absurd."
In response to the withdrawal request, Giuliani's advisor, Ted Goodman, stated:
Mayor Giuliani has not been informed by Mr. Caruso of this action. Surely Mr. Caruso would talk to the mayor, or at the very least inform him of such a decision
Rudy Giuliani, once celebrated as "America's Mayor," now faces a pivotal moment in his legal defense as his attorneys seek to withdraw from representing him in the $148 million defamation case brought by Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Moss.
The case continues to evolve as Judge Lewis Liman considers the withdrawal request from attorneys Kenneth Caruso and David Labkowski while simultaneously pressing for full disclosure of Giuliani's assets to satisfy the substantial judgment. The outcome of this legal matter could significantly impact both Giuliani's personal finances and his broader legal challenges in Arizona and Georgia.
