Giuliani Cites Memory Lapses in Ongoing New York Contempt Case.
Rudy Giuliani has asserted during a contempt hearing that he is not concealing assets from attorneys seeking to recover 148 million dollars (£119 million) following a defamation ruling in favor of two election workers from Georgia.
Judge Lewis J. Liman appeared less inclined to hold the former mayor of New York in contempt for not disclosing certain assets, including a valuable signed Joe DiMaggio jersey, which reportedly went missing after Giuliani stated he last saw it around September 11 in his Manhattan residence.
This contempt hearing in Manhattan follows Giuliani's 2023 finding of having falsely accused the two workers of ballot tampering during the 2020 presidential election. The judge indicated that Giuliani could complete his testimony on Monday by participating remotely from his home in Florida, as he clarifies why some assets and their associated documentation have been difficult to locate and surrender.
When the judge inquired of a lawyer representing the two election workers whether the plaintiffs were more focused on asset recovery than on holding Giuliani in contempt, attorney Meryl Conant Governski readily concurred, stating that contempt was not “our primary goal.” Ms. Governski, adopting a more straightforward than confrontational approach, drew from Giuliani his feelings of being overwhelmed by numerous court orders across various cases nationwide. At times, the judge interjected with firm remarks, such as when he directly told Giuliani, “You’re in violation of a court order at least in regards to that,” in reference to the DiMaggio jersey.
Giuliani repeatedly claimed that he was not intentionally withholding assets. He characterized himself as occasionally forgetful and disorganized, having delegated some responsibilities related to his assets and the surrounding legal matters to others. He expressed concern that the two-week period allotted for responding to certain requests was “very short” compared to the time he was given to provide information in 15 to 20 other ongoing court cases.
Related: Rudy Giuliani Pleads Financial Hardship in Dramatic Courtroom Outburst
The former mayor stated that he has relinquished all of his valuable watches, with the exception of a 120-year-old gold timepiece gifted to him by his grandfather. “I was keeping it safe to prevent it from being lost,” he explained. “I was concerned it might go missing if I handed it over.” When the judge inquired whether he understood the requirement to surrender the watch, he responded that he “wasn’t attempting to conceal it from anyone” and would be willing to part with it “if you can guarantee that it will be stored securely.”
Giuliani mentioned that the New York Yankees organization had treated him well, noting that he once owned as many as 100 items related to the team, most of which he has since given away, including autographed photographs of Reggie Jackson and Joe DiMaggio together, as well as another featuring Yogi Berra and Babe Ruth. “I often lose track of what I possess and what I do not,” he remarked, asserting that he misplaced some items during his most recent divorce six years ago. The attorneys representing the election workers claim that Giuliani has exhibited a “consistent pattern of willful defiance” of Judge Liman’s October order to surrender assets, following his 2023 liability ruling for defaming their clients by falsely alleging ballot tampering during the 2020 presidential election.
In court documents submitted this week, they noted that he has surrendered a Mercedes-Benz and his New York apartment but has not provided the necessary documentation to liquidate these assets. Furthermore, they asserted that he has not returned watches and sports memorabilia, including the DiMaggio jersey, nor has he surrendered “a single dollar from his non-exempt cash accounts.” Judge Liman indicated in a recent order that Giuliani’s attorney should be prepared to justify why he should not be held in contempt, which could lead to sanctions that might jeopardize his ability to retain his Florida residence.
A trial concerning the distribution of the Palm Beach condominium and World Series rings is set for mid-January. Giuliani contends that the Palm Beach property is his personal residence and should be exempt from the judgment. His legal team has expressed confidence that he will ultimately secure custody of the items in question. Rudy Giuliani's ongoing contempt hearing highlights his claims of forgetfulness and disorganization regarding asset disclosure. While the judge and opposing counsel continue to push for compliance, Giuliani insists he is not intentionally withholding items. The case underscores ongoing legal challenges stemming from his false claims about election fraud.
