Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani finds himself entangled in yet another legal predicament as he prepares to face a federal judge in Manhattan.
As reported by The Independent, Giuliani has made an urgent plea to District Judge Lewis Liman through Christmas Eve court filings, attempting to avoid contempt charges while claiming he has surrendered all available assets to satisfy his massive defamation judgment.
The legal battle stems from a $148 million defamation verdict awarded to Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, whom Giuliani falsely accused of manipulating election results following the 2020 presidential election. The former mayor's attorneys argue that he has complied with court orders and maintains he has turned over everything within his possession.
In his personal filing to Judge Liman, Giuliani provided detailed documentation of 42 property items he claims to have surrendered, including possessions moved from a storage facility in Ronkonkoma, New York, to Queens. His attorney, Joseph Cammarata, presented a technical argument questioning the legitimacy of the receivership, citing the election workers' alleged failure to file a required oath under New York State law.
Giuliani expressed his position in the court documents, stating:
I respectfully submit that the items which I was required to turn over, I turned over. The Court should see that I gave everything that I could give.
The former mayor's compliance remains contested by Freeman and Moss's legal team, who argue that he has yet to surrender several court-ordered items, including his Mercedes Benz convertible title, Manhattan penthouse keys, and valuable sports memorabilia.
Giuliani's legal calendar shows mounting pressure, with two significant court appearances scheduled for early January. The 80-year-old former Trump attorney will testify at a contempt hearing in Manhattan on January 3, followed by a Washington, D.C. court appearance on January 10.
The Manhattan hearing will address allegations that Giuliani has failed to meet his "unqualified obligation" to transfer property to the election workers. During previous hearings, Judge Liman expressed frustration with what he termed Giuliani's "farcical" excuses regarding his assets.
These legal proceedings carry serious implications for Giuliani, who faces potential jail time or additional financial penalties. The situation has become more complex following his bankruptcy case dismissal, which now requires him to navigate multiple courtrooms as creditors vie for control of his assets.
The ongoing property turnover case represents a critical juncture in Giuliani's post-2020 election legal troubles. The former mayor's attempts to retain his assets while claiming full compliance with court orders have created a contentious atmosphere in the federal courthouse.
Freeman and Moss's attorneys maintain that Giuliani's partial compliance, including the delivery of a 1980 Mercedes Benz convertible, several watches, and a diamond ring, falls short of meeting court requirements. The presence of his ex-wife's name on certain property titles has further complicated the transfer process.
Rudy Giuliani, once celebrated as America's Mayor, now faces potential contempt charges in Manhattan federal court for allegedly failing to properly transfer assets to Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.
The January 3 hearing will determine whether his Christmas Eve legal filings successfully demonstrate full compliance with court orders, while his January 10 appearance in D.C. will address separate allegations of violating orders against repeating defamatory statements about the election workers.
