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.
-
‘City leaders must recognize its residents as part of its lifeblood’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
10 upcoming albums to stream during the winter chillThe Week Recommends As the calendar turns to 2026, check out some new music from your favorite artists
-
Kristi Noem might not be long for TrumplandIN THE SPOTLIGHT The Homeland Security secretary has been one of the most visible and vocal architects of Trump’s anti-immigration efforts, even as her own star risks fading
-
‘City leaders must recognize its residents as part of its lifeblood’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Kristi Noem might not be long for Trumpland
IN THE SPOTLIGHT The Homeland Security secretary has been one of the most visible and vocal architects of Trump’s anti-immigration efforts, even as her own star risks fading
-
Senate votes down ACA subsidies, GOP alternativeSpeed Read The Senate rejected the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, guaranteeing a steep rise in health care costs for millions of Americans
-
Abrego García freed from jail on judge’s orderSpeed Read The wrongfully deported man has been released from an ICE detention center
-
Indiana Senate rejects Trump’s gerrymander pushSpeed Read The proposed gerrymander would have likely flipped the state’s two Democratic-held US House seats
-
Will there be peace before Christmas in Ukraine?Today's Big Question Discussions over the weekend could see a unified set of proposals from EU, UK and US to present to Moscow
-
‘The menu’s other highlights smack of the surreal’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Democrat files to impeach RFK Jr.Speed Read Rep. Haley Stevens filed articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
