A high-stakes legal showdown intensifies as Rudy Giuliani faces a court summons after failing to comply with asset surrender requirements in a defamation case.
According to Scripps News, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman has mandated Giuliani's personal appearance in a New York courtroom on Thursday following reports that his Manhattan apartment had been cleared out despite a court order to surrender his possessions.
The former mayor was required to turn over numerous assets by October 29, including his $5 million Upper East Side apartment, a vintage Mercedes previously owned by Lauren Bacall, and various luxury items ranging from television sets to collectible watches.
When attorneys for Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss visited Giuliani's residence last week, they discovered an almost empty apartment. The two former Georgia election workers had won a $148 million defamation judgment against Giuliani.
Giuliani's spokesperson, Ted Goodman, defended his client's actions while criticizing the opposing counsel. He stated:
Opposing counsel, acting either negligently or deliberately in a deceptive manner, are simply attempting to further bully and intimidate Mayor Giuliani until he is rendered penniless and homeless.
Giuliani's attorney, Kenneth Caruso, attempted to postpone the hearing, citing his client's contractual obligations for radio broadcasts in Palm Beach. The judge promptly denied this request, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
The broadcasting equipment situation presents a unique challenge for Giuliani, as these broadcasts currently serve as his sole source of earned income. Despite this circumstance, Judge Liman remained firm in his decision to proceed with the in-person hearing.
The legal team representing Freeman and Moss expressed strong concerns about the apparent removal of the property while restraining notices were in effect.
Aaron Nathan, the election workers' attorney, detailed the stark condition of Giuliani's apartment during their inspection. Only basic furniture and minimal decorative items remained in the residence.
The mystery deepened when Giuliani's lawyers revealed that some property had been relocated to a storage facility in Ronkonkoma, approximately 50 miles from Manhattan. However, no inventory of the stored items has been provided.
The situation has become increasingly complex as Giuliani's legal team continues to argue against allowing Freeman and Moss to obtain and sell his belongings during the pending appeal process.
The underlying case stems from Giuliani's false accusations against Freeman and Moss regarding ballot fraud during the 2020 election. His claims about suitcases of ballots and voting machine tampering led to severe consequences for the election workers.
The impact of these allegations extended beyond legal ramifications, as Freeman and Moss reported receiving death threats that significantly affected their personal safety and well-being. Their substantial legal victory reflects the serious nature of the defamation claims. This legal confrontation represents a critical juncture in the ongoing dispute between Giuliani and the election workers, with Thursday's hearing potentially determining the next phase of asset recovery efforts.
