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By Jon Jackson
News Editor
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A judge on Monday found Rudy Giuliani in contempt of court for failing to properly respond to requests for information as he turned over assets to satisfy a defamation judgment granted to two former Georgia election workers.
Why It Matters
Giuliani, a former attorney for President-elect Donald Trump and a former mayor of New York City, has faced legal and financial issues in recent years. He's also been accused of involvement in attempts to overturn Trump's 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.
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Giuliani, 80, was found liable in 2023 for defaming two former Georgia election workers—Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea "Shaye" Moss—after falsely accusing them of ballot tampering during the election. He was ordered to pay them $148 million in damages.
What To Know
U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman made his ruling after Giuliani testified for a second day at a contempt hearing called after lawyers for Freeman and Moss said he had not complied with evidence production requests over the last few months.
On Friday, attorneys for Freeman and Moss accused the former mayor of having a "consistent pattern of willful defiance" in responding to orders to hand over assets as part of the judgment, reported The Associated Press (AP).
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Lawyers for Freeman and Moss said last week in court filings that Giuliani turned over a Mercedes-Benz and his New York apartment but did not give paperwork needed to monetize those assets.
They also said that he did not turn over watches and sports memorabilia, according to the AP.
Giuliani discussed during Monday's testimony why he had not turned over information regarding his assets. He said sometimes not everything was turned over because he believed requests were too broad or a "trap" placed by lawyers for Freeman and Moss. He also said he was required to produce information for numerous criminal and civil court cases.
Meanwhile, a lawyer for Freeman and Moss argued Giuliani's Palm Beach property was not his primary residence and thus not protected from seizure, but Giuliani's attorney said the Florida property is his client's primary residence.
What People Are Saying
Giuliani, during earlier court proceedings: "I'm not impoverished. Everything I have is tied up. I don't have a car. I don't have a credit card. I don't have cash. I can't get to bank accounts that truly would be mine because they have put ... stop orders on, for example, my Social Security account, which they have no right to do."
Lisa Rubin, MSNBC legal correspondent, on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday: "Giuliani is being cross examined right now about his alleged intransigence in responding to discovery about the assets he owes to former GA election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. But his squirrelly answers and attempt to blame his former lawyer, a friend of many decades, are not likely to endear him to Judge Liman, the decisionmaker here."
What Happens Next
Giuliani's trial is set to begin on January 16. During the trial, Liman will determine whether the Florida condo is Giuliani's primary residence.
In a recent deposition, Giuliani said he made the Florida condo his primary residence because the "staff is nicer and the people are wonderful."
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
Update 01/06/25 3:43 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more information.
Update 01/06/25 4:09 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more information.
Update 01/06/25 4:16 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more information.
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