A federal judge has ordered Rudy Giuliani, former attorney to Donald Trump and ex-mayor of New York City, to relinquish his assets, including a luxury Manhattan penthouse, to Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, whom he defamed. The ruling mandates that Giuliani transfer his property interests to the women within seven days, allowing them to manage a receivership that could lead to the sale of the penthouse, potentially valued in the millions.
The legal action comes after a jury ruled Giuliani must pay nearly $150 million for defamation against Freeman and Moss, which includes around $2 million in undisputed legal fees from the Trump campaign. Along with the apartment, Giuliani is also required to surrender a collection of luxury items, including several watches awarded to him by foreign leaders following the September 11 attacks, a signed Joe DiMaggio jersey, and a classic Mercedes that belonged to Lauren Bacall.
Michael Gottlieb, the attorney representing Freeman and Moss, described the judge’s decision as a significant step toward recovery for his clients, emphasizing the judicial system’s role in holding individuals accountable for wrongdoing.
Judge Lewis Liman is still deliberating on whether Giuliani can retain a condominium in Palm Beach, Florida, as well as his collection of New York Yankees World Series rings, which his son claims were gifted to him by Giuliani.
Giuliani, who previously served as a U.S. Attorney, has already lost his law license due to his promotion of false claims regarding the 2020 election. The judge noted that using a receivership for property transfer allows auction houses to maximize sale value. The case reflects ongoing consequences for attorneys involved in Trump’s election challenges, despite slow progress in criminal prosecutions against Trump and his associates.
Giuliani was found liable for defamation after failing to respond to the lawsuit, with Freeman and Moss alleging emotional distress and threats to their safety stemming from Giuliani’s false accusations of election fraud. A hearing regarding the Florida property is scheduled for the coming Monday.