Rudy Giuliani’s son is making an effort to prevent two Georgia election workers from laying claim to his father’s New York Yankees World Series rings, following a significant defamation ruling where the workers were awarded $148 million against Rudy Giuliani. In recent court documents, Andrew Giuliani asserts his ownership of the rings, claiming they were given to him as gifts several years ago.
Andrew Giuliani, who ran unsuccessfully for governor of New York in 2022, filed these documents in federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday. He stated that his father gifted him four World Series rings in 2018. He also mentioned that they had an agreement that Rudy would keep one of the rings temporarily to wear. The rings commemorate each of the Yankees’ championships from 1996 to 2000, which Rudy Giuliani received while he served as the mayor of New York City during those victorious years. Furthermore, during a failed bankruptcy attempt earlier this year, Rudy listed three World Series rings as part of his personal assets, which he valued alongside a jewelry collection comprised of expensive watches totaling around $30,000.
The legal battle stems from Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, who recently won the defamation case due to Rudy Giuliani’s unsubstantiated claims of ballot fraud in connection with the controversial 2020 presidential election. The duo stated that Giuliani disseminated false accusations perpetuated by Donald Trump regarding the election being stolen, resulting in severe threats to their lives and causing them to live in fear.
In their quest to collect the awarded judgment, Freeman and Moss are petitioning a federal judge to grant them ownership of Rudy Giuliani’s Manhattan property, his World Series rings, and other assets. Andrew Giuliani’s recent court documents seek permission to intervene in the case, asserting ownership of the rings. A judge granted this request on Wednesday.
On another front, Rudy Giuliani is appealing the substantial $148 million judgment, arguing his free speech rights and claiming that Freeman and Moss could not demonstrate he acted with “actual malice” when making his statements—an essential element for defamation claims. He is requesting that the New York court postpone the transfer of any of his property to Freeman and Moss until after the appeal’s outcome is determined.
Neither Rudy Giuliani’s legal representatives nor those for Freeman and Moss responded to requests for comments regarding Andrew Giuliani’s claims about the World Series rings. Andrew’s attorney also did not reply promptly for comments concerning the matter.
According to Andrew Giuliani’s filings, his father presented the rings to him during a celebration for Rudy’s 74th birthday in May 2018. He relayed a memory in his filing where his father affirmed that he had always intended for the rings to be his one day, expressing his joy in receiving them after many nights spent together watching Yankees games.Similar sentiments were echoed in the filings, highlighting the emotional bond over their shared dedication to the team as father and son.
Furthermore, Andrew Giuliani provided the court with an image of himself and his wife holding two of the rings while standing with his father, capturing the moment he received them as gifts. He insists that the rings rightfully belong to him and should not be awarded to Freeman and Moss.
Rudy Giuliani’s total assets, which include a condo in Palm Beach, Florida, autographed memorabilia featuring Reggie Jackson, and a signed shirt from Joe DiMaggio, are estimated to be worth over $10 million if liquidated to satisfy the judgment owed to Freeman and Moss.
Legal representatives for Freeman and Moss have indicated in filings that Rudy Giuliani is attempting to obstruct their ability to collect on the judgment, including actions taken during the bankruptcy proceedings that were ultimately dismissed. They stated, “Mr. Giuliani has spent years evading accountability for his actions. Now that the bankruptcy case has been dismissed, Plaintiffs can finally pursue compensation through enforcing their judgment.”
A federal judge in Manhattan has set an October 17 hearing date to address Freeman and Moss’s request for possession of Rudy Giuliani’s assets.
