Rudy Giuliani Pleads Financial Hardship in Dramatic Courtroom Outburst.
Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York and attorney for Donald Trump, expressed his financial distress in court on Tuesday, stating to the judge, “I can’t pay my bills!”
Courtroom sketches depicted an agitated Giuliani, 80, gesturing emphatically towards Judge Lewis Liman during the proceedings. The federal court hearing in Manhattan addressed a nearly $150 million judgment awarded to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, two Georgia election workers whom Giuliani had defamed while promoting Trump’s unfounded claims of electoral fraud in the 2020 election. Judge Liman noted that Giuliani had failed to comply with directives to relinquish his assets.
On Tuesday, Giuliani asserted, “The implications you are making against me are incorrect. I have no vehicle, no credit card, no cash; all my resources are tied up, and there are stop orders on my business accounts, leaving me unable to pay my bills!” Giuliani's decline has been remarkable.
He initially gained prominence as a vigorous prosecutor tackling organized crime and served two terms as mayor, receiving acclaim for his leadership following the September 11 attacks in 2001. Although his presidential campaign in 2008 was unsuccessful, he enjoyed a prosperous career in consulting and public speaking before aligning with Trump as he entered Republican politics in 2015. While he did not secure a cabinet position, Giuliani became Trump’s personal attorney, a role that contributed to Trump’s first impeachment in 2019 for allegedly pressuring Ukraine for political information. Giuliani subsequently played a significant role in Trump’s unsuccessful efforts to contest the 2020 election results, leading to criminal charges, a substantial defamation judgment, and disbarment in both Washington and New York.
On Tuesday in New York, Giuliani's attorney informed the judge that his client had surrendered assets, including a Mercedes Benz sports car that was previously owned by actress Lauren Bacall. An attorney representing Freeman and Moss stated that while Giuliani had relinquished the vehicle, he had not provided the title.
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The legal representatives for the two women also indicated that they had gained access to Giuliani's $5 million apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, but had not obtained "the keys, stock, or proprietary lease." During the court proceedings, the judge remarked to Giuliani's lawyer, "A car without a title is meaningless... your client is a competent individual. He served as the U.S. attorney in this district. The idea that he cannot apply for a title certificate—" Giuliani interrupted, asserting, "I did apply for it! Am I expected to fabricate it myself?
Your suggestion that I have not been diligent in this matter is entirely incorrect." He then proceeded to express his frustrations regarding financial difficulties. Giuliani's attorney requested that Judge Liman extend deadlines, noting that he had only recently taken on the case after the previous attorneys had withdrawn. Liman denied this request, stating, "You cannot reset the clock by dismissing one attorney and hiring another.
He has already been granted multiple extensions and has missed several deadlines." The trial is scheduled for January 16 to determine whether Giuliani must also transfer his Florida residence and four New York Yankees World Series commemorative rings to Moss and Freeman. On Tuesday, Giuliani's lawyer inquired about the possibility of postponing the trial to allow his client to attend inaugural events for Trump, who is set to be sworn in as president in Washington, D.C., on January 20.
Liman declined this request. Outside the courtroom, Giuliani expressed to reporters that he believed Liman was "going to rule against me. If you were in the courtroom and couldn't discern that, you're foolish." He further commented on the judge's political affiliations, stating that Liman had a "serious leftwing Democrat" background, despite acknowledging that he was appointed by Trump. Giuliani stated that he did not regret making defamatory statements about Freeman and Moss. "I regret the persecution I have faced." The legal case against Rudy Giuliani underscores the severe consequences of defamatory actions and noncompliance with court directives.
Once celebrated as a legal and political powerhouse, Giuliani now faces mounting financial and legal woes, including potential forfeiture of his assets. The $150 million judgment awarded to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, victims of false election fraud claims, reflects the judiciary’s commitment to accountability and justice.
As the trial approaches, Giuliani’s legal and personal reputation hangs in the balance, serving as a stark reminder that even the most prominent figures are not immune to the rule of law.
