Federal Judge Rules Rudy Giuliani in Contempt Over $148 Million Defamation Judgment
Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and one-time attorney for Donald Trump, was found in contempt of court on Monday by a federal judge in New York City. The ruling came as Giuliani struggled to comply with requests to provide information regarding his assets, tied to a $148 million defamation judgment awarded to two Georgia election workers.
The decision, issued by Judge Lewis J. Liman, followed testimony from Giuliani during a contempt hearing. The hearing was initiated after attorneys for the election workers accused him of failing to fulfill evidence production requirements. Giuliani had been held liable in 2023 for defaming the workers by falsely alleging they tampered with ballots during the 2020 presidential election.
Giuliani’s Testimony Highlights Compliance Issues
Giuliani, 80, testified in person on Friday in Manhattan and remotely on Monday from his condominium in Palm Beach, Florida. Initially appearing with an American flag backdrop, Giuliani was instructed by Judge Liman to switch to a plain background for the remote session.
During his testimony, Giuliani admitted he had not fully complied with requests for information, claiming some were overly broad or inappropriate. He also suggested that some requests felt like “traps” set by the plaintiffs’ lawyers. Giuliani cited difficulties juggling multiple legal cases, which he said made it “impossible to function” about 30–40% of the time.
Attorneys for the election workers accused Giuliani of a “pattern of willful defiance” regarding a prior order from Judge Liman in October, requiring him to surrender assets. While Giuliani has turned over some items, including a Mercedes-Benz and his New York apartment, the plaintiffs argue he has failed to provide necessary documentation to monetize these assets. Additionally, he has yet to surrender other valuable items, such as watches, sports memorabilia, and cash from nonexempt accounts.
Disputes Over Missing Items and Property Ownership
Giuliani told the court he is investigating the whereabouts of a Joe DiMaggio jersey but does not know who currently possesses it. Plaintiffs’ attorney Aaron Nathan argued that Giuliani’s incomplete disclosures justify the court inferring that his Palm Beach property is not his primary residence, which would make it subject to seizure.
Giuliani’s attorney, Joseph Cammarata, countered that such a conclusion would amount to a civil “death penalty,” potentially costing Giuliani his Florida property even before a mid-January trial. That trial will determine the status of the Palm Beach condominium and other assets, including World Series rings.
Mounting Legal Challenges
This defamation case adds to Giuliani’s growing list of legal troubles, spanning both civil and criminal matters. Despite these challenges, Giuliani has maintained that his Palm Beach condominium is his primary residence and therefore protected under Florida law. His legal team remains confident that they will overturn the judgment on appeal.
Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the election workers at the center of the case, filed the lawsuit after being subjected to harassment and threats following Giuliani’s unfounded allegations of voter fraud. Monday’s contempt ruling marks a significant development in their pursuit of justice and accountability.
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