A lawsuit has been filed claiming that a $100,000 donation made to Rudy Giuliani’s legal defense fund rightfully belongs to victims of an alleged online fraud scheme. The donation from Matthew Martorano accounted for a significant portion of the money raised for Giuliani’s legal fees. The suit alleges that the funds came from Martorano’s involvement in an online skincare product scam and seeks to have the donation returned to the victims. The lawsuit adds a new layer of legal complications to Giuliani’s financial situation, as he filed for bankruptcy protection in December after being ordered to pay $146 million to two Georgia election workers. Giuliani’s spokesperson has stated that the lawsuit is unrelated to their client, and they have no further comment on the matter.
The lawsuit against Martorano and his wife, along with their company Konnektive LLC, claims that they were involved in a fraudulent scheme related to skincare products. They allegedly deceived banks and credit card companies by providing software to scammers involved in the sale of skincare products under the brand name La Pura. The suit alleges that many people were misled into signing up for a free trial and then charged for subscriptions without their consent or proper information. The lawsuit seeks to hold the defendants civilly liable for fraud, with the evidence presented potentially leading to a significant judgment against them.
The new lawsuit filed in Georgia alleges that Martorano and the other defendants are transferring assets to avoid paying potential liabilities resulting from the alleged fraud scheme. These asset transfers include political donations, such as the $100,000 donated to Giuliani’s legal defense fund, as well as property transfers worth millions of dollars. The suit claims that these transfers are an attempt to evade responsibility for potential verdicts in favor of the injured consumers who were victims of the skincare product scam. Martorano is also accused of making other political donations to organizations associated with Donald Trump, raising questions about his motives.
The lawsuit raises concerns about the source of funds donated to Giuliani’s legal defense fund and calls for the return of the donation if it was obtained through fraudulent means. Victims of the alleged fraud scheme have expressed support for this action, noting that any funds acquired through scams should be returned to those who were harmed. The lawsuit also highlights the asset transfers made by Martorano and his wife, suggesting that these actions are part of an effort to shield assets from potential legal judgments. The legal battle over the alleged online fraud scheme and its aftermath is unfolding in multiple jurisdictions, adding complexity to the ongoing legal and financial challenges faced by all parties involved.
