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Rudy Giuliani Ordered to Divest Assets in Landmark Defamation Case

On Tuesday, a federal⁣ court judge mandated Rudy Giuliani, former attorney to ⁢Donald Trump and ex-mayor of New York City, to⁢ relinquish control of his assets—including his opulent Manhattan penthouse—to ​Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the Georgia election officials whom he libeled, resulting in a hefty $150 million ​judgment against him.

Judicial Ruling on Giuliani’s Assets

Judge Lewis Liman ‌of the U.S.‌ District Court in Manhattan set a seven-day ‍deadline ​for ⁤Giuliani to transfer ownership of the ​luxury penthouse to a receivership controlled by Freeman⁢ and Moss. While the handover of various luxury items is a ‌straightforward task, the transfer of the apartment enables the two women—the plaintiffs in the case—to sell the property, likely yielding millions.

In his ruling, the judge also concluded that ⁤Freeman and Moss are ‍entitled to approximately $2 million from Giuliani, representing unpaid legal fees claimed by the Trump campaign.

Giuliani’s Notable Possessions

Aside from the fees and the New York‌ luxury ‌residence, Giuliani is required to hand over ⁣an assortment of​ prized possessions. This includes several watches gifted by European leaders in the wake of⁤ the September 11, 2001 attacks, a signed baseball jersey from Joe DiMaggio, various sports memorabilia,⁣ and a 1980 Mercedes-Benz that was⁢ previously owned by‌ actress Lauren Bacall. The order also encompasses Giuliani’s ⁣television, furniture, and jewelry.

Future Decisions Awaited

The judge has yet to rule on whether Giuliani ⁣can maintain ownership ⁤of ⁣his ⁢Palm Beach, Florida condo and the four​ New York Yankees World Series rings, which his son asserts ‌were gifted to him by his ⁤father.

Reactions to the Court’s Decision

Michael Gottlieb, attorney for Freeman and Moss, expressed to CNN the significance of the ruling, describing it as a crucial step towards allowing his‌ clients to reclaim what was⁤ unjustly stripped from them. He remarked, “This decision ‌illustrates how the judicial system can ultimately hold influential individuals accountable for their misdeeds, despite the lengthy process involved.”

In a statement released shortly after the ruling, Giuliani’s spokesperson Ted Goodman criticized the court’s decision, framing it as an unjust punishment resulting from politically motivated actions aimed ‍at making a scapegoat of Giuliani.

Goodman further defended Giuliani’s prized possessions, asserting that the‌ Joe DiMaggio⁢ jersey ​was a personal‍ gift and claiming that the 1980 Mercedes-Benz is his ​only mode of⁢ transportation. He also highlighted ‌ongoing restrictions on​ Giuliani’s access to various financial⁣ accounts, alleging that this is an attempt to undermine Giuliani’s successful streaming and social media endeavors.

Legal Dynamics ​and Context

The judge explained the need for receivership to ‌facilitate Giuliani’s⁣ asset transfer, emphasizing that this legal approach is optimized for working with auction houses and brokers, such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s, to ensure the highest possible sale price for the penthouse.

The actions taken against Giuliani spotlight a​ broader trend in‍ which individuals ​who collaborated in efforts to undermine the 2020 election⁢ are facing significant legal repercussions. Although prosecutions related to ⁤Trump’s and his associates’ alleged misconduct have progressed slowly, Giuliani’s case ‍highlights tangible consequences for ⁢those actions.

Background on the Defamation Case

In late 2022, a federal jury⁣ found Giuliani liable for defamation against Freeman and Moss after he ⁤failed to adequately address their lawsuit. The mother-daughter⁣ duo has alleged serious emotional distress and reputational damage‌ stemming from Giuliani’s unfounded claims of ‌ballot tampering in Georgia, where they worked ‍during ‌the election.

The upcoming court hearing is set for next Monday, focusing⁢ on Giuliani’s Florida⁤ property, with further developments anticipated in this ongoing legal saga.

This report has been updated with the latest information.

Contributions for this report were⁢ made by ⁣CNN’s Tierney Sneed, Devan⁢ Cole, and Piper Hudspeth Blackburn.

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