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.
-
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s rebellion: Maga hardliner turns on TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president
-
‘Congratulations on your house, but maybe try a greyhound instead’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump wants to exert control over federal architectureThe Explainer Beyond his ballroom, Trump has several other architectural plans in mind
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Whistles emerge as Chicago’s tool to fight ICEIN THE SPOTLIGHT As federal agents continue raiding the city, communities have turned to noisemakers to create a warning system
-
Will California’s Proposition 50 kill gerrymandering reform?Talking Points Or is opposing Trump the greater priority for voters?



