Trump ally and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani Sharp criticism in federal court on Thursday after missing deadline to hand over valuables two election workers He infamousIncluding one asset, a vintage Mercedes, which he took on a drive to vote in Florida. He owe to womenRuby Freeman and daughter Vandria Moss lose millions.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Lyman, upon being informed that Giuliani was the only person listed in the document with knowledge of his assets – and wanted his name removed – called the request “ridiculous.”
“My expectation is that you will answer that question truthfully and completely,” Lyman said. He said others must have known about Giuliani's various properties.
The case was being heard remotely, but after learning that Giuliani had not fulfilled his obligations to the two women, Liman ordered Giuliani to appear in person on Thursday. Attorneys for Ruby Freeman and her daughter Vandria Moss said they went to Giuliani's Manhattan apartment last week and discovered it had been vacated, thwarting their efforts to list and obtain access to his property.
In December 2023, a jury awarded the pair $148 million in damages for falsehoods that Giuliani spread about them after the 2020 presidential election. The huge award drove Giuliani into bankruptcy, and left the disgraced women entitled to most of what he owned.
Liman had until October 29 to turn over a lengthy list of property to Giuliani, which included a Mercedes, two dozen high-end watches, a jersey signed by New York Yankees Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio – a longtime friend of Giuliani's 5 Was prominently displayed above the million dollar fireplace. The apartment – as well as other furniture and sports memorabilia. The women are also entitled to nearly $2 million that Giuliani has said he owes to President-elect Trump's 2020 campaign.
When Giuliani arrived in Florida to vote on Tuesday, he was sitting in the passenger seat of a Mercedes convertible, which appeared to be a classic 1980s car that once belonged to movie star Lauren Bacall.
Later that day, a spokesperson for the former New York City mayor and Trump's fired former lawyer confirmed that it was the same vehicle, and said they had attempted to turn it over.
In court Thursday, Giuliani's attorney Kenneth Caruso said he believed the half-century-old car could be valued at less than $4,000. He said the court order allows him to keep the vehicle of that value.
Caruso asked Liman to allow Giuliani to attend the hearing remotely, as he had previously done. Caruso said Giuliani is under contract for an evening radio show on Thursdays and Fridays. Caruso said Giuliani uses “broadcast equipment” at his Florida home.
Lyman refused that request. On Thursday, he gave the women's lawyers until November 11 to instruct Giuliani on how to return their property, and Giuliani must comply four days later.