By A federal judge ordered Rudy Giuliani Tuesday to surrender his Manhattan apartment and numerous luxury possessions to two Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation judgment against him for spreading false claims about their role in the 2020 presidential election.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in Manhattan directed Giuliani to relinquish within seven days his apartment, valued at more than $5 million, along with 26 luxury watches and various collectibles, including a 1980 Mercedes-Benz formerly owned by actress Lauren Bacall.
The ruling benefits Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, who successfully sued Giuliani over false ballot fraud accusations that they said led to death threats. The judgment stems from Giuliani’s role in promoting Donald Trump’s claims about the 2020 election being stolen.
The court order includes Giuliani’s claim to approximately $2 million he says Trump’s 2020 campaign owes him for legal services. Also ordered surrendered are signed memorabilia from Yankees legends Joe DiMaggio and Reggie Jackson, a signed Yankee Stadium picture, a diamond ring, and costume jewelry.
Judge Liman rejected Giuliani’s request to keep a watch inherited from his grandfather, noting he failed to prove it was worth less than $1,000 to qualify for exemption. “No man should be permitted to live at the same time in luxury and in debt,” Liman wrote, citing New York statute.
However, the judge temporarily excluded Giuliani’s Florida condominium and three New York Yankees World Series rings from the asset transfer, as these items are subject to other legal proceedings. The Florida property, worth over $3 million, faces a separate hearing on October 28, with Giuliani claiming it as his primary residence.
The World Series rings’ ownership is contested by Giuliani’s son Andrew, who claims his father gifted him four championship rings from 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000 in 2018, when the elder Giuliani served as New York City mayor.
“We are proud that our clients will finally begin to receive some of the compensation to which they are entitled for Giuliani’s actions,” said Aaron Nathan, attorney for Freeman and Moss. “This outcome should send a powerful message that there is a price to pay for those who choose to intentionally spread disinformation.”
Giuliani’s lawyers, Kenneth Caruso and David Labkowski, indicated plans to appeal, stating, “When the judgment is reversed in the Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., these Plaintiffs will be required to return all this property to Mr. Giuliani.”
The former New York mayor has not paid any portion of the judgment to date. His attempt to halt collection through bankruptcy was dismissed in July after a judge cited his “uncooperative conduct” and failure to disclose income sources.
The judge authorized Freeman and Moss to proceed with liquidating the transferred assets “quickly,” rejecting Giuliani’s request to delay sales until his appeal concludes.
