Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, is facing possible contempt of court charges for failing to deliver assets worth $11 million to two poll workers he defamed after the 2020 presidential election. If found in contempt, he could face penalties including jail time. Despite multiple missed deadlines and extensions, Mr. Giuliani appeared in federal court in Lower Manhattan to discuss the stalled handover of assets, including a penthouse apartment, Yankees memorabilia, luxury watches, and a vintage Mercedes-Benz convertible. Initially, Mr. Giuliani’s lawyer requested a virtual appearance due to medical issues, but the judge insisted on an in-person testimony.
The transfer of assets was originally scheduled for October as part of a $148 million judgment Mr. Giuliani was ordered to pay to Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, two Georgia election workers he accused of helping steal the election from Donald J. Trump. Several deadlines have passed, and the women have only received a fraction of the property. Mr. Giuliani claims he has largely complied with the handover request, but lawyers for the women argue that he continues to defy court orders, despite warnings. Issues such as paperwork not being updated since his divorce and missing items like a Joe DiMaggio Yankees jersey have complicated the process.
Mr. Giuliani’s legal battles, stemming from his time as Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, have reached a new low with the contempt hearing. In a separate case in Washington, D.C., Mr. Giuliani faces the possibility of contempt charges for making false claims about the two Georgia poll workers. In November, his lawyers withdrew from the handover case, citing undisclosed professional ethics reasons. A recently unsealed letter revealed that Mr. Giuliani was uncooperative in the discovery process related to a condominium he owns in Palm Beach, Fla., and was withholding access to his electronic devices.
The plaintiffs in the case against Mr. Giuliani are frustrated with the delays and lack of compliance. They have yet to gain legal possession of his Upper East Side apartment and transfer the title for his vintage Mercedes. The whereabouts of the Joe DiMaggio Yankees jersey, a sought-after item, remain unknown. Mr. Giuliani’s refusal to fully comply with court orders despite warnings has led to tensions between the parties. The judge and plaintiffs’ lawyers have expressed impatience with Mr. Giuliani’s delays and non-compliance, with one lawyer stating “enough is enough.”
The hearing in federal court in Lower Manhattan highlights Mr. Giuliani’s struggle to hand over assets to the two poll workers he defamed. Despite his claims of compliance, the plaintiffs have only received a small portion of what was owed to them. Mr. Giuliani’s legal battles, including the looming contempt charges in Washington, D.C., have added to his challenges. The judge’s insistence on an in-person appearance and the ongoing issues with transferring assets have further complicated the situation. As the case continues, it remains to be seen how Mr. Giuliani will resolve these outstanding legal matters.
