Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is caught up in a tough legal battle over a defamation case involving two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss. Back in 2023, a jury awarded Freeman and Moss a whopping $148 million after deciding that Giuliani had defamed them by making false claims that they tried to meddle with the 2020 presidential election results. Now, Freeman and Moss are pushing to collect on that judgment by going after Giuliani’s assets, including some unusual items like his World Series rings and even a lease on a Manhattan apartment.
But Giuliani isn’t going down without a fight. Recently, he filed a motion to block sanctions that Freeman and Moss requested, accusing him of failing to turn over his assets. Giuliani argued that the plaintiffs haven’t done everything they’re supposed to do under the law. He pointed out that, according to state law, a temporary receiver—someone who manages assets during a legal dispute—has to take an oath before they can officially begin their duties. Giuliani claims this oath hasn’t been filed, which means, in his view, the receivership hasn’t legally started.
To back up his argument, Giuliani said the oath could be waived only if all parties agreed, which hasn’t happened in this case. He also stated that he has been trying to comply with the court’s orders by handing over various items like furniture, sports memorabilia, and even a Mercedes-Benz, even though these weren’t specifically listed in the court’s turnover order. He emphasized that he gave these things voluntarily to prove he was following the rules.
However, Freeman and Moss’s attorneys have accused Giuliani of deliberately trying to avoid the consequences of the judgment. They argue that his actions, including his delay in handing over assets, show he’s stalling. On the other hand, Giuliani’s representatives claim that the plaintiffs are being overly aggressive in going after his belongings.
The financial toll on Giuliani has been significant. He shared that his business accounts are frozen, leaving him unable to pay bills or access basic financial resources. “I have no car, no credit card, no cash,” Giuliani said, describing his dire situation.
Things aren’t looking great for Giuliani in court, either. His former defense attorneys have dropped him as a client, citing his lack of cooperation during the discovery process, which is a critical part of any legal case. Giuliani is now expected to appear before U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman to address contempt charges for missing court deadlines.
This legal drama comes as Freeman and Moss continue to seek justice for the false claims Giuliani made against them, claims that thrust them into the spotlight during a heated election cycle. While Giuliani insists he’s doing everything he can to comply with the court, the battle over what he owes—and whether he’s been truthful about his efforts—continues to play out in courtrooms in New York.
