Rudy Giuliani, once celebrated as “America’s Mayor,” could soon find himself in hot water with the courts. A federal judge in New York seems ready to hold Giuliani in contempt for refusing to share court-ordered information. This comes as part of a legal battle involving two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss, who are trying to collect on a massive $148 million defamation judgment against him.
The judge, Lewis J. Liman, has made it clear that Giuliani hasn’t been playing by the rules. On Friday, Judge Liman turned down Giuliani’s request for protection that would have let him avoid providing the information Freeman and Moss need for their case. Instead, the judge pointed out that Giuliani has missed deadlines and ignored court orders repeatedly, especially when it comes to answering questions about his finances and properties.
Judge Liman didn’t mince words, stating that the law comes with consequences for anyone who fails to follow it. At the heart of the issue is Giuliani’s multimillion-dollar condominium in Palm Beach, Florida. Earlier this year, Giuliani claimed it was his permanent home, making it eligible for legal protections under Florida law. But Freeman and Moss aren’t buying it. They argue that the property is more of a vacation spot than a full-time residence, and they’re pushing Giuliani to prove otherwise.
The question of where Giuliani truly lives will take center stage at a trial scheduled for January 16, 2025. Meanwhile, Freeman and Moss have been trying to dig deeper into Giuliani’s affairs, asking him to name any professionals—financial, medical, or legal—he’s worked with over the past four years. They’ve also asked for details about his email accounts, phone numbers, and messaging services. But Giuliani has been fighting back, claiming this information is private and protected by various legal privileges. He even argued that handing over his phone and messaging details could put his safety at risk due to previous threats.
Judge Liman wasn’t impressed by these arguments. In a December 17 ruling, he criticized Giuliani for disrespecting the court and failing to meet his legal responsibilities. The judge noted that Giuliani missed multiple deadlines to answer questions and didn’t provide a valid excuse for the delays. Even if Giuliani’s objections were considered, Liman said they wouldn’t hold up because the requested information is directly tied to his claim that the Florida condo should be exempt from debt collection.
Instead of complying with the judge’s December order, Giuliani filed yet another request to avoid answering the questions. Judge Liman rejected this move, accusing Giuliani of trying to twist the plaintiffs’ requests into something absurd just to argue they were irrelevant. The judge emphasized that discovery questions are meant to be read reasonably and that Giuliani’s responses were not in line with the court’s expectations.
Now, Giuliani faces a looming decision from the court. On January 3, 2025, Judge Liman is expected to announce whether Giuliani will be held in contempt for refusing to cooperate. The judge has also hinted that additional penalties could be on the table, depending on the hearing’s outcome.
For Freeman and Moss, this case is about holding Giuliani accountable for spreading false claims that led to their defamation. And for Giuliani, the stakes couldn’t be higher as he battles not only to clear his name but also to hold on to his prized Florida property.
