In a significant landmark ruling, a federal judge has ordered Rudy Giuliani to relinquish not only his luxurious Manhattan apartment valued at $6 million but also an array of his personal belongings, including watches, furniture, and sports memorabilia, to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. The order comes in the wake of a defamation suit that the two Georgia election workers brought against Giuliani for his baseless allegations of vote tampering during the 2020 presidential elections.
Freeman and Moss successfully received over $140 million in their lawsuit after Giuliani, who once served as a lawyer for Donald Trump, falsely accused them of manipulating ballots. As part of the judge's ruling released on Tuesday, the defamation victims are also entitled to $2 million that Trump’s campaign reportedly still owes Giuliani.
The women’s request included seizing a range of Giuliani's valuables, such as several properties, luxury watches, a Mercedes-Benz, and even three World Series rings associated with the New York Yankees, one of which carries an estimated value of $30,000. Among the possessions ordered for turnover include over two dozen watches and a signed jersey from the legendary Joe DiMaggio, a privilege that further demonstrates the scale of Giuliani's losses.
The ruling comes as Giuliani faces ongoing legal turmoil, including the loss of his law license and multiple felony charges related to a "fake elector scheme" aimed at declaring Trump the winner in Arizona. After filing for bankruptcy last year as a result of the defamation suit, Giuliani was recently denied bankruptcy protections, further exacerbating his financial and legal responses.
The harassment and threats faced by Freeman and Moss following Giuliani's accusations highlight the pervasive risks associated with public and political discourse that unjustly target individuals, a reality that underscores the importance of holding those in power accountable for their statements.
