Rudy Giuliani is set to appear in a New York City courtroom to explain why he has yet to surrender his belongings in connection to his defamation case concerning plaintiffs Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Moss. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman had initially set a deadline for Giuliani to surrender his possessions, but upon representatives’ visit to Giuliani’s apartment, they found it had been cleared out, except for a few items. Freeman and Moss filed a letter stating that Giuliani is either not understanding his obligations or knowingly disregarding them after reports of him driving his Mercedes-Benz in Palm Beach, Florida, that was ordered to be turned over to the plaintiffs.
Giuliani’s spokesperson Ted Goodman stated that the opposing counsel is attempting to bully and intimidate Giuliani until he is penniless and homeless by weaponizing the justice system. Goodman claimed that Giuliani has made his property and possessions available as ordered and that any removal of items was related to his livestream programs. The former New York City mayor had been ordered to pay $148,169,000 to Freeman and Moss after falsely accusing them of committing election fraud in the 2020 election. Both Freeman and Moss were formerly Georgia election workers.
Giuliani had been on trial for the defamation suit in Washington, D.C., which wrapped up late last year. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell had already awarded default judgment to Freeman and Moss in August. Giuliani’s possessions include his Upper East Side apartment, a 1980 Mercedes, his television, and luxury watches. The status conference in court was initially set to be by phone but was switched to an in-person appearance, and Giuliani and his lawyers were ordered to appear. Freeman and Moss reported to the court that Giuliani’s apartment had been cleared out four weeks prior to their visit, save for some rugs, furniture, and smaller items.
The situation with Giuliani and his defamation case highlights the ongoing legal battle between the former New York City mayor and the plaintiffs. Giuliani has been ordered to pay a significant amount of money to Freeman and Moss after falsely accusing them of election fraud. The issue of Giuliani not surrendering his belongings as ordered by the court has led to further legal actions and claims of bullying and intimidation by his spokesperson. The case continues to unfold in the courtroom, and Giuliani’s actions are under scrutiny as he navigates the aftermath of the defamation trial.
