Federal Court Orders Giuliani to Surrender Assets, Including NYC Apartment, to Pay Defamation Verdict
Last week, a New York federal court ordered Rudy Giuliani to hand over his New York co-op apartment and other assets to satisfy the $146 million defamation judgment against him. The former Trump attorney and New York mayor was found liable in December 2023 for defaming Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss by promoting false claims of election fraud. This judgment, which includes monetary damages and the forfeiture of high-value personal items, marks a significant milestone in the legal battle for accountability over election misinformation.
Giuliani’s attempt to avoid paying the damages through a bankruptcy filing was dismissed in August 2024, with the court labeling his efforts as dilatory. Following this dismissal, Freeman and Moss gained legal grounds to pursue his assets. According to Freeman and Moss’s attorney Aaron Nathan, the ruling reflects the strength of the December verdict and reinforces the pursuit of justice for the election workers. “The road to justice for Ruby and Shaye has been long, but they have never wavered,” Nathan said, emphasizing the symbolic weight of the court’s decision.
High-Value Assets, Including a NYC Co-op and Memorabilia, to Be Turned Over
In addition to his New York apartment, Giuliani is required to hand over a range of valuable personal items, including a Mercedes-Benz, rare watches, and memorabilia such as a shirt signed by baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman appointed Freeman and Moss as “receivers” of these assets, authorizing them to liquidate the items and deposit the proceeds into a trust account pending further court approval.
Freeman and Moss initially pursued defamation charges after Giuliani falsely accused them of committing voter fraud in the 2020 election. His statements, which claimed they manipulated ballots in favor of Joe Biden, led to widespread harassment and threats against the women, impacting their lives and safety. As Freeman and Moss prepare to take possession of Giuliani’s assets, they continue to seek accountability and repair the reputational damage they suffered. Giuliani, meanwhile, is appealing the defamation judgment in Washington, D.C., which, if successful, could affect the terms of asset liquidation.
