Rudy Giuliani’s representative has announced that the former mayor of New York City is set to give up his valuable watches ahead of a deadline to submit his assets to two former election workers from Georgia. This decision comes after a $148 million defamation ruling was made against him.
A judge recently directed Giuliani to surrender numerous prized items, which include a 1980 Mercedes that once belonged to actress Lauren Bacall, in addition to over 20 watches. This order was enforced after he failed to meet a deadline on October 29.
In a video posted by Ted Goodman, Giuliani’s spokesperson, from a FedEx location in Florida, viewers could see at least 18 watches and a ring laid out for transfer. Goodman remarked that this collection is the result of 60 years of dedicated effort. He emphasized the personal significance of many of these timepieces as Giuliani is compelled to relinquish them due to a court ruling.
In his commentary, Goodman highlighted Giuliani’s bravery as mayor during the September 11 attacks, stating, “This is a man who demonstrated courage by running towards the flames and now he’s being forced to turn all this over under court order in an absolute bastardization of our justice system.” He expressed sorrow over the situation, claiming it is essential to record the events as a means to preserve the integrity of the U.S. justice system.
Neither Goodman nor Giuliani’s attorneys have responded to requests for comment. Earlier in the week, Giuliani’s lawyers, Kenneth Caruso and David Labkowski, sought the court’s approval to withdraw from the case due to differences with him. A representative for Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, who won the defamation suit, has also not commented.
Following another court order to relinquish assets, Giuliani suggested that he was a target of a “political vendetta” and expressed his belief in a forthcoming victory on appeal, anticipating the recovery of his belongings. He remarked, “This is a case of political persecution. There isn’t a person (who) doesn’t know the judgment is ridiculous.”
In addition to the watches and his vintage Mercedes, Giuliani is required to surrender his $5 million Upper East Side apartment and a notable shirt signed by baseball great Joe DiMaggio. It was reported that representatives for Freeman and Moss had previously visited Giuliani’s Manhattan residence, only to find it substantially emptied before the due date.
Giuliani had been determined liable for defamation after he falsely accused Freeman and Moss of engaging in ballot misconduct, a claim he made while advancing unverified election fraud allegations during the 2020 presidential campaign. The two women reported facing death threats as a result of Giuliani’s accusations, which included allegations of ballot tampering and improper voting practices.