Giuliani must hand assets to women he defamed
The former New York City mayor must turn over his apartment and other possessions


What happened
A federal judge in New York Tuesday gave Rudy Giuliani seven days to forfeit his New York City apartment, a 1980 Mercedes once owned by Lauren Bacall, furniture, 26 watches and other assets to two Georgia election workers he defamed by falsely accusing them of trying to steal the 2020 election from Donald Trump. The assets, amounting to most of Giuliani's possessions and available cash, will cover about $6.5 million of the $148 million Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss were awarded by a Washington, D.C., jury last December.
Who said what
U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Liman said Freeman and Moss can start selling Giuliani's assets as soon as he places them in their receivership, with two exceptions: Giuliani's $3 million condo in Florida and his four Yankees World Series rings, all of which are tied up in other litigation. Giuliani has reported about $10 million in assets.
Freeman and Moss "will finally begin to receive some of the compensation to which they are entitled for Giuliani's actions," said their lawyer Aaron Nathan. "This outcome should send a powerful message that there is a price to pay for those who choose to intentionally spread disinformation." Giuliani's attorneys said the plaintiffs "will be required to return all the property" to their client "when the judgment is reversed" on appeal.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
If Giuliani fails to turn over his assets in time, he "could face being held in contempt of court, which could result in fines or even jail time," The New York Times said. Liman, a Trump appointee, said Freeman and Moss could sue Trump for the $2 million Giuliani claims his former boss owes him in unpaid legal fees.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
September 14 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include RFK Jr on the hook, the destruction of discourse, and more
-
Air strikes in the Caribbean: Trump’s murky narco-war
Talking Point Drug cartels ‘don’t follow Marquess of Queensberry Rules’, but US military air strikes on speedboats rely on strained interpretation of ‘invasion’
-
Crossword: September 14, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Air strikes in the Caribbean: Trump’s murky narco-war
Talking Point Drug cartels ‘don’t follow Marquess of Queensberry Rules’, but US military air strikes on speedboats rely on strained interpretation of ‘invasion’
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years for coup attempt
Speed Read Bolsonaro was convicted of attempting to stay in power following his 2022 election loss
-
Calls for both calm and consequences follow Kirk killing
TALKING POINTS The suspected assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk has some public figures pleading for restraint, while others agitate for violent reprisals
-
Why does Donald Trump keep showing up at major sporting events?
Today's Big Question Trump has appeared at the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and other events
-
‘Democracy is under threat globally’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Former top FBI agents sue, claiming Trump purge
Speed Read The agents alleged they were targeted by a “campaign of retribution”
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
Judge lets Cook stay at Fed while appealing ouster
Speed Read Trump had attempted to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud