Giuliani Faces Potential Seizure of Properties and Personal Assets in Defamation Case

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
30/08/2024 21h44

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is now at risk of losing his multimillion-dollar homes in New York and Florida, as well as valuable personal property, including three Yankees World Series rings. This comes after two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea "Shaye" Moss, filed an action seeking possession of Giuliani's properties in federal court in New York last Friday. The move comes in response to Giuliani's failure to comply with court orders and satisfy the $146 million defamation judgment awarded to Freeman and Moss last year.

Freeman and Moss were the subjects of false accusations made by Giuliani, who repeatedly defamed them by claiming they were involved in election fraud during the 2020 presidential election. A judge found Giuliani liable for his defamatory statements, leading to the substantial damages awarded to the two women. The defamation trial revealed how Giuliani's lies in support of former President Donald Trump's baseless claims subjected Freeman and Moss to racist and violent threats, forcing them out of their jobs and homes.

The filing made by Freeman and Moss seeks an order compelling Giuliani to hand over personal property to satisfy the judgment. This includes cash accounts, jewelry, valuable items, and even Giuliani's interest in his luxury Madison Avenue co-op apartment. The estimated value of Giuliani's Manhattan apartment is $5.7 million, while his Palm Beach condo, which the Georgia election workers are also targeting, is valued at $3.5 million.

The plaintiffs are not only claiming Giuliani's properties but are also seeking to seize the $2 million in unpaid attorneys' fees that Giuliani claims he is owed by Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee. Additionally, Freeman and Moss are looking to acquire Giuliani's 1980 Mercedes-Benz SL500, signed Reggie Jackson picture, signed Joe DiMaggio shirt, three Yankees World Series rings, a diamond ring, and his collection of luxury watches.

Giuliani had previously filed for bankruptcy following the massive defamation judgment against him. However, his bankruptcy case was dismissed earlier this month due to his failure to provide necessary information about his businesses and incomplete or incorrect details about his personal spending. The dismissal leaves Giuliani vulnerable to the potential seizure of his assets as Freeman and Moss continue to pursue their claim.

In a separate filing, Freeman and Moss accused Giuliani of engaging in gamesmanship by claiming Florida as his permanent residence in an attempt to qualify for homestead protection under Florida law. However, the plaintiffs argued that there is no evidence to support Giuliani's claim, as his own internet broadcasts contradict his assertion of permanent residency in Palm Beach.

Giuliani's spokesperson, Ted Goodman, responded to the latest development by criticizing the plaintiffs' actions as a form of harassment and intimidation. Goodman reiterated that the defamation verdict was being appealed and called it "objectively unreasonable."

As the legal battle continues, Freeman and Moss seek to establish their lien on Giuliani's property as enforceable, while also challenging his assertion of homestead status in the Florida condo. Giuliani, on the other hand, claims to be a victim of partisan political targeting, stating that the justice system has been weaponized against him and others.

The outcome of this legal battle will determine whether Freeman and Moss can seize Giuliani's properties and personal assets as restitution for the damage caused by his defamatory statements.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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