A federal judge has scheduled a court appearance for Rudy Giuliani on January 3, as he faces possible contempt allegations due to his failure to provide certain assets to two Georgia election poll workers. These workers had previously won a libel suit against him. Judge Lewis J. Liman, presiding in Manhattan, issued the summons for Giuliani, who has served as the mayor of New York City and as a former attorney for Donald Trump.
In legal documents submitted by the lawyers representing the poll workers, it is stated that Giuliani has not handed over crucial items such as the lease for his New York apartment, a Mercedes vehicle, various watches, jewelry, a signed shirt from baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, and other sports memorabilia. Additionally, Giuliani is set to face a trial on January 16 regarding his actions relating to his residence in Florida and some World Series rings.
Back in October, Judge Liman had directed Giuliani to turn over several of his prestigious belongings to the plaintiffs in the case. Giuliani’s legal team has expressed optimism that their client will eventually regain control over these items after an appeal. Attorney Joseph Cammarata has been vocal about his confidence in Giuliani succeeding during the contempt hearing, referring to the actions of the election workers’ counsel as “another act of lawfare.”
“Their mission is to annihilate Mayor Giuliani,” Cammarata stated in an email, adding that they are eager to depose the plaintiffs and succeed in the trial. This contempt hearing follows a heated November court session, where Giuliani, known for his previous role as a federal prosecutor, expressed frustration with the judge, claiming that he was being treated unfairly.
Giuliani remarked, “The implication I’ve been negligent is entirely incorrect,” as he detailed his attempts to retrieve a replacement title for his vehicle. The judge, in turn, cautioned Giuliani’s defense team that he would not be permitted to interrupt court proceedings again, foreshadowing stricter enforcement during the upcoming hearings.
Earlier, Giuliani was found liable for defaming the two poll workers by making false accusations against them concerning ballot manipulation during the 2020 election. The women involved reported receiving death threats as a result of Giuliani’s claims, which included allegations that they had smuggled in ballots in suitcases, counted ballots multiple times, and tampered with voting machines.
