Rudy Giuliani is facing a significant obligation to part with various personal assets. The former mayor of New York City has been mandated to surrender his Manhattan residence, a luxury Mercedes, and numerous belongings—including a television and a Joe DiMaggio-autographed shirt—due to a $148 million defamation ruling against him. This judgment was handed down in favor of two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss.
So, what’s the procedure for transferring these items? Is Giuliani responsible for packing up his cherished possessions and delivering them to a location selected by Freeman and Moss? Alternatively, will they need to arrange for their own transportation to collect the items? Legal experts involved in the case, along with a federal judge’s recent directive, provide insight into how this property handover is expected to unfold.
Giuliani has been instructed to transfer a range of goods to Freeman and Moss within a week, which is aimed at covering part of the extensive judgment amount. In addition to the Manhattan apartment, he is required to part with 26 luxury watches, a 1980 Mercedes previously owned by the actress Lauren Bacall, and memorabilia signed by baseball icons Joe DiMaggio and Reggie Jackson. The list also includes a signed photo from Yankee Stadium, a diamond ring, various costume jewelry pieces, and cash in specific bank accounts.
Freeman and Moss successfully pursued a defamation lawsuit against Giuliani after he disseminated false information about them related to alleged ballot fraud during the 2020 presidential election. They accused him of amplifying claims by former President Donald Trump regarding a stolen election, which in turn resulted in severe threats against their safety. Giuliani wrongfully alleged that they engaged in illicit activities with ballots, such as hiding them in suitcases and tampering with voting systems.
There is still uncertainty surrounding the specific locations of the items Giuliani needs to relinquish. His legal team has not responded to inquiries about their whereabouts. Attorneys involved in the proceedings have indicated that the nuances of the property transfer will be finalized in the upcoming days. Giuliani may deliver the items to a location designated by Freeman and Moss; however, if he does not comply, they might have to bear the cost of renting a vehicle to collect them from his apartment.
Once Freeman and Moss have secured the belongings, they will store them in places of their choosing; smaller items could be kept at their attorneys’ offices. Additionally, lawyers will be pursuing documents proving ownership of the Manhattan apartment on behalf of Freeman and Moss.
A U.S. District Judge has assigned Freeman and Moss the role of “receivers,” granting them authority to take possession of many of Giuliani’s assets and to sell them immediately. Any revenue generated from the sales is required to be deposited into a trust account, and their lawyers will need to file a motion with the court for approval to distribute these funds to their clients.
The Manhattan apartment is estimated to hold a value exceeding $5 million. Giuliani is also obliged to transfer his claim for approximately $2 million that he asserts is owed to him by the Trump 2020 campaign for his legal services. However, the exact valuation of the other possessions is still undetermined. Furthermore, any new occupancy or sale of the New York apartment will need co-op board approval, preventing Freeman and Moss from moving in or renting it out immediately.
Giuliani’s Palm Beach, Florida condo, valued at over $3 million, is still under litigation, along with four World Series rings he obtained while serving as mayor. He contends that he should retain the Florida condo as it is his main residence, whereas his son, Andrew, claims that the World Series rings were gifted to him.
In the event that Giuliani’s appeal succeeds, he is contesting the $148 million judgment in a federal court located in Washington. He had previously petitioned the New York court to prevent Freeman and Moss from selling any of his assets until the conclusion of his appeal, but that request was denied. The judge indicated that Giuliani could have sought a hold on asset sales through the court in D.C. where he is appealing but failed to do so.
Giuliani’s legal representatives noted that if he prevails in his appeal, Freeman and Moss would be accountable for either returning the funds obtained from the asset sales or compensating him with the fair market value of the items, whichever amount is greater. Giuliani’s spokesperson expressed concern on Wednesday that Giuliani is facing undue hardship through what he describes as politically motivated actions aimed at silencing him. According to Goodman, the court’s order requires the former mayor to forfeit pieces of his personal history, and he remains confident that justice will ultimately be served.
