A federal judge ordered Rudy Giuliani to surrender several luxury assets, including his Manhattan apartment, to two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, following a $148 million defamation judgment. This marks a significant legal setback for Giuliani, who has resisted paying the judgment so far.
Giuliani Ordered to Forfeit Manhattan Apartment in Defamation Case
Rudy Giuliani has been ordered by a federal judge to hand over his Upper East Side apartment to Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. The order stems from a defamation case in which Giuliani was found guilty of falsely accusing the two workers of committing election fraud during the 2020 election.
Freeman and Moss were awarded $148 million in damages after a jury ruled that Giuliani’s false claims led to significant personal and professional harm, including threats and harassment.
Luxury Assets to Be Turned Over
In addition to his Manhattan apartment, Giuliani must surrender a variety of high-end assets, including a Mercedes-Benz, over a dozen luxury watches, cash, and a legal claim worth $2 million related to unpaid attorney’s fees from the Trump 2020 campaign and the Republican National Committee.
This court order comes after Giuliani’s refusal to pay any portion of the judgment, further complicating his financial troubles.
Separate Case Delays Palm Beach Condo Transfer
Freeman and Moss had also requested Giuliani’s Palm Beach condo, but the judge has delayed a decision on that request. This is due to a separate lawsuit in which the plaintiffs accuse Giuliani of trying to shield the Florida property from creditors by falsely claiming it as his primary residence to receive “homestead” status under state law.
Giuliani’s Bankruptcy Dismissal Opens Door for Asset Pursuit
Despite declaring bankruptcy after the defamation verdict, Giuliani’s bankruptcy case was dismissed in July. The judge cited Giuliani’s failure to provide a complete picture of his finances and uncooperative behavior. This dismissal allowed Freeman and Moss, two of his largest creditors, to begin seizing his assets.
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