Rudolph W. Giuliani, who has faced legal trouble due to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, has kept a reliable financial ally in the form of a charity founded to honor a firefighter who died on September 11, 2001. This revelation comes after months of contentious arguments from his creditors about the state of his personal finances, with complaints of incomplete and opaque information. The charity in question, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, sponsors Mr. Giuliani’s internet show “America’s Mayor Live” and his former radio show but has not disclosed how much it paid overall. Mr. Giuliani, who says he receives no income from his company Giuliani Communications, is facing accusations from his creditors that he may be using his businesses as a personal piggy bank.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, founded to honor firefighter Stephen Siller, who died on 9/11, has grown into a national organization with significant revenue. The charity, which also provides housing and educational materials related to the 9/11 attacks, has spent millions on advertising and sponsored shows on various media outlets. The organization sponsored Mr. Giuliani’s radio show on WABC until it was canceled last month due to his false claims about the 2020 election. Mr. Giuliani’s current livestream, broadcast on social media and Newsmax, features political commentary along with ads for his new coffee line which he claims will raise money for a nonprofit named Call 2 Action.
Mr. Giuliani’s financial reporting during his bankruptcy proceedings has been criticized as incomplete and confusing, with his monthly reports showing more spending than income. Despite several claims that his only sources of income are social security benefits and his radio show, no compensation or salary is shown in his reports. His creditors’ lawyers have accused him of commingling his personal and business finances and have raised concerns about his accounting and record-keeping practices. The revelation of his sponsorship revenue from the charity and his coffee venture has raised further questions about the transparency of his financial dealings.
The creditors’ lawyers have requested more detailed financial information from Mr. Giuliani, including the contract for his coffee venture, Rudy Coffee, in which he is set to receive 80% of the net profit. The ads for Rudy Coffee, which feature Mr. Giuliani’s face on the bags, claim that sales will help support a nonprofit named Call 2 Action devoted to helping veterans and first responders. However, no such charity by that name is listed as tax-exempt, and the website linked to the coffee bags is about social media marketing, not a nonprofit organization. Despite questions from his creditors and the public, Mr. Giuliani and his spokesperson have not provided clear answers about the details of this charity or how the funds are being used.
Mr. Giuliani, despite facing legal challenges and financial scrutiny, continues to host his livestream show where he offers opinions on current events and criticizes President Biden and Democrats. The revelation of his financial ties to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has raised concerns about his motives and transparency. His ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, characterized by incomplete financial reporting and questionable accounting practices, have led to accusations of fraud and misuse of funds. As he navigates these challenges, Mr. Giuliani’s partnership with the charity and his new coffee venture have come under further scrutiny, with questions about the legality and transparency of his financial dealings.
