In a recent court ruling, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been ordered to turn over significant assets within seven days to two Georgia election workers who successfully sued him for defamation. The ruling was made by U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman, requiring Giuliani to hand over a Manhattan apartment, 26 luxury watches, a 1980 Mercedes-Benz, and various sports memorabilia valued at approximately $148 million.
Judge Liman clarified that Giuliani is not required to surrender three New York Yankees World Series championship rings or his Florida apartment at this time, as these assets are related to other ongoing litigation.
The lawsuit was brought forth by Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Moss, a mother-daughter duo, who alleged that Giuliani defamed them by accusing them of committing voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election. After a lengthy legal battle, they emerged victorious.
Following the ruling for damages, Giuliani filed for bankruptcy, yet Freeman and Moss have yet to receive any compensation. The judge rejected Giuliani’s bankruptcy application in July, citing his repeated failures to comply with court orders and disclose income sources, describing these actions as “non-cooperative behavior.”
Giuliani’s asset list, as detailed by the court, includes his Manhattan apartment, valued at over $5 million, a claimed $2 million fee for services he alleges he provided to former President Trump during the 2020 election, and a 1980 Mercedes S500 that once belonged to actress Lauren Bacall. Additionally, it features signed memorabilia from Yankees legends Joe DiMaggio and Reggie Jackson, a diamond ring, jewelry, and 26 high-end watches.
According to court filings, Giuliani estimates the Mercedes is worth about $25,000, with the combined value of the watches, championship rings, and jewelry at around $30,000. He sought to retain a watch gifted to him by his grandfather, but Judge Liman denied this request. The judge stated that Giuliani could prove the watch’s value was under $1,000 to qualify for an exemption, but he failed to do so. Liman remarked, “No matter how painful the situation, a party cannot claim that every heirloom should be exempt.”
Giuliani has filed an appeal regarding the $148 million judgment and requested the court to prevent Freeman and Moss from selling any of his assets until the appeal is resolved, a request that Judge Liman also denied. The judge noted that Giuliani could have sought a ruling from the federal court in Washington D.C. to pause any asset sales during his appeal but did not take that step.
