Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, once celebrated as “America’s Mayor,” now faces a federal trial in Manhattan to determine whether he can retain ownership of his Florida condominium and three World Series rings or if these assets must be forfeited to satisfy a $148 million defamation judgment.
The judgment was awarded to two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss. They successfully sued Giuliani, claiming his false allegations of election fraud during the 2020 presidential election led to severe harassment and threats to their safety.
Trial Details
The trial, conducted without a jury, began Thursday morning and is presided over by Judge Lewis J. Liman. Giuliani, now 80, is the first witness to testify. This follows Judge Liman’s earlier ruling that found Giuliani in contempt for failing to provide complete information about his assets. As a penalty, Giuliani has been barred from introducing certain evidence in this case.
In addition to the Manhattan proceedings, Giuliani was recently held in contempt by another court in Washington, D.C., for continuing to repeat false claims about the election workers, further compounding his legal troubles.
Focus of the Trial
The trial will not revisit whether Giuliani defamed Freeman and Moss or re-evaluate the amount of the judgment. Instead, it aims to determine whether Giuliani can retain certain assets or if they must be used to satisfy the judgment.
Key assets in question include:
- Florida Condominium: Giuliani claims his Palm Beach condo is his homestead, asserting he established residence there in January 2024. However, attorneys for the election workers argue that he continued to reside in New York until surrendering his Manhattan apartment last fall as part of the judgment.
- World Series Rings: Giuliani possesses three rings, which he claims were gifts from late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner in 2002. Giuliani stated he bought the rings for his son, Andrew, and kept them for safekeeping. Their estimated value is $27,000.
Giuliani’s Financial Situation
During a recent hearing, Giuliani described his financial struggles, stating that most of his assets are inaccessible due to legal restrictions.
“I don’t have a car. I don’t have a credit card. I don’t have cash. I can’t get to bank accounts that truly would be mine,” Giuliani testified. He also claimed his Social Security account has been frozen, a move he argues is unlawful.
Despite his financial troubles, Giuliani emphasized he is “not impoverished” and continues to fight for his remaining assets.
Disputes Over the Rings
The World Series rings have become a contentious issue in this trial. Lawyers for the election workers argue that Giuliani never officially documented the rings as a gift to his son in tax records, despite being meticulous about recording other gifts. Andrew Giuliani also never insured the rings or declared them in his tax filings, raising questions about ownership.
Previous Asset Surrenders
Giuliani’s total assets are believed to be worth around $10 million, with the Palm Beach condo alone valued at over $3 million. He has already surrendered several valuable items, including:
- A New York apartment worth approximately $5 million.
- A 1980 Mercedes previously owned by actress Lauren Bacall.
- Luxury watches and other collectibles.
The Defamation Case
Freeman and Moss’s defamation lawsuit centered on Giuliani’s repeated claims that they engaged in fraudulent vote-counting during the 2020 presidential election. These false accusations led to a torrent of threats, forcing the mother-daughter duo to fear for their lives.
The court previously ruled in their favor, holding Giuliani accountable for spreading lies that caused immense personal and professional harm to the two election workers.
What’s at Stake
The outcome of this trial will determine whether Giuliani can retain his Florida home and other valuable possessions or if they will be used to partially satisfy the $148 million judgment against him.
For Giuliani, once a towering figure in American politics, this trial represents another chapter in his legal and financial woes, underscoring the personal toll of his post-2020 election activities.
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