Rudy Giuliani has been ordered to transfer several of his assets to two Georgia election workers who secured a $148 million defamation verdict against him. A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that Giuliani must relinquish items such as his Manhattan apartment, an array of watches, sports memorabilia, and a vintage 1980 Mercedes-Benz.
However, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman, based in Manhattan, noted that Giuliani will not yet be required to turn over three New York Yankees World Series rings or his Florida condominium, as these items are currently involved in separate legal disputes.
The assets Giuliani must part with are projected to yield several million dollars for Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss. The verdict results from Giuliani’s unfounded claims of ballot fraud against them, linked to the 2020 presidential election. They alleged that Giuliani propagated Donald Trump’s unfounded narrative of a stolen election, which led to serious threats against their safety.
Among the assets that Giuliani is mandated to relinquish within a week is his New York City apartment, valued at over $5 million, as well as an approximate $2 million claim against Trump’s 2020 campaign for services he allegedly rendered.
Additional items to be surrendered include a 1980 Mercedes-Benz previously owned by actress Lauren Bacall, memorabilia signed by Yankees greats Joe DiMaggio and Reggie Jackson, a signed photo of Yankee Stadium, a diamond ring, costume jewelry, and a collection of 26 watches. This collection includes notable brands such as Rolex, Shinola, Bulova, and Tiffany & Co.
Giuliani requested to retain one watch passed down from his grandfather due to its sentimental value; however, the judge dismissed this plea. Liman stated that Giuliani could have sought exemptions if he substantiated the watch’s value as under $1,000, which he failed to do. The judge remarked that while personal sentiments around the items are recognized, they do not exempt Giuliani from responsibility for the judgment he owes.
In his ruling, Liman emphasized that transferring these assets would enable an expedited liquidation process through the selected legal representatives of Freeman and Moss, thereby boosting the reclaimed value of these unique items and increasing the chances of satisfying the plaintiffs’ substantial judgment.
Giuliani’s legal team did not respond immediately to requests for comments following the ruling. As of now, Giuliani has not made any payments to Freeman and Moss.
Freeman and Moss’s attorney, Aaron Nathan, expressed pride in the progress made for his clients, who will begin to receive compensation due to Giuliani’s actions. He underscored that this outcome serves as a strong reminder of the consequences that come with intentionally disseminating misinformation.
Giuliani sought a court order to block Freeman and Moss from liquidating his assets until the conclusion of his appeal regarding the $148 million judgment. Judge Liman denied that request, indicating that Giuliani could have petitioned the federal court in Washington, D.C., where the defamation case was decided, to pause asset sales while awaiting his appeal’s outcome, but did not take that step.
In the judge’s words, while understanding that some items may hold personal value for Giuliani, this does not allow him to enjoy these assets at the expense of those to whom he owes compensation. The ruling reflects a principle of New York law that maintains no individual should live in luxury while carrying significant debt.
Regarding the World Series rings, Giuliani’s son, Andrew, claimed ownership over the four championship rings from 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. He stated that his father gave them to him as gifts in 2018. The younger Giuliani’s assertion is currently under review in federal court.
Freeman and Moss also requested the judge to compel Giuliani to hand over his Palm Beach, Florida condo, valued at over $3 million. This property is engaged in other legal matters, with Giuliani asserting that it should be exempt as his primary residence. Freeman and Moss have placed a lien on this Florida property.
Liman mentioned that he will address the condo situation in a hearing scheduled for October 28, additionally imposing a prohibition on Giuliani from selling or diminishing the value of the property in the interim.
Following the significant defamation verdict, Giuliani filed for bankruptcy, which momentarily halted efforts by Freeman and Moss to collect the judgment. However, a judge dismissed the bankruptcy claim back in July, citing Giuliani’s persistent uncooperative behavior, including noncompliance with court orders and failure to reveal sources of income.