Rudy Giuliani keeps his New York City apartment, more than 20 luxury watches, sports memorabilia and other prized possessions, including a 1980 Mercedes once owned by movie star Lauren Bacall. He must be turned over to two Georgia election officials who won a $148 million defamation judgment against him. , a judge handed down the ruling Tuesday.
But Manhattan U.S. District Judge Louis Lehman also pointed out that Giuliani’s assets are tied up in other lawsuits, including three New York Yankees World Series rings and Florida State’s three World Series rings. He said there was no need to hand over his apartment to election officials.
The property Giuliani will have to give up is expected to sell for millions of dollars for Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea “Shay” Moss. They won a $148 million judgment against Giuliani over false voter fraud claims related to the 2020 presidential election. They claimed Mr. Giuliani pushed Donald Trump’s lie that the election was stolen, which led to death threats and made them fear for their lives.
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Under Tuesday’s order, Mr. Giuliani must turn over his Manhattan apartment, estimated to be worth more than $5 million, within seven days, and Mr. Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign owes Mr. Giuliani for his work. He must also hand over about $2 million in interest.
Also on the list of assets that must be given to Freeman and Moss are a 1980 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 previously owned by Bacall, and shirts and photos signed by Yankees legends Joe DiMaggio and Reggie Jackson, respectively. , including an autographed photo of Yankee Stadium. Diamond rings, costume jewelry, and 26 watches, including 1 Rolex, 5 Sinolas, 2 Bulova, and 1 Tiffany.
In court papers filed earlier this year, Mr. Giuliani estimated the value of the Mercedes at about $25,000 and the value of the watch, World Series ring and costume jewelry at about $30,000. He said the value of his sports memorabilia is unknown.
One of those watches was given to Giuliani by his grandfather, and he asked to be allowed to keep it because of its sentimental value. But Mr. Liman denied the request, arguing that Mr. Giuliani could have been exempted if he could prove that the value was less than $1,000, but he did not do so. The judge added: “No matter how dire the circumstances, a party cannot claim that all heirlooms should be exempted.”
Mr. Lehman said that Mr. Giuliani’s delivery of the assets to Mr. Freeman and Mr. Moss would “ensure the prompt and consistent liquidation of the transferred assets by the plaintiffs’ chosen attorneys, and ensure that all unique and intangible items are “The value of the sale is maximized and, therefore, the plaintiff’s likelihood of sale is increased.” We are satisfied with the plaintiffs’ judgment. ”
Mr. Giuliani’s lawyer did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday.
To date, Mr. Giuliani has paid nothing to Mr. Freeman and Mr. Moss.
“We are proud that our clients will finally begin to receive some of the compensation they are entitled to for Mr. Giuliani’s actions,” Aaron Nathan, a lawyer for Mr. Freeman and Mr. Moss, said in a statement. “This result should send a strong message that those who deliberately choose to spread disinformation will have to pay a price.”
Mr. Giuliani had asked the judge to bar Mr. Freeman and Mr. Moss from selling their assets until the appeal of their $148 million judgment is complete. Mr. Lehman also said that Mr. Giuliani could have asked the federal court in Washington, D.C., where Mr. Freeman and Mr. Moss won their defamation suit, to halt the asset sale pending an appeal. He denied the request, saying he had not.
“The court also has no doubt that certain items may have sentimental value to the defendant,” the judge wrote. “But that does not give the defendants the right to continue enjoying the assets to the detriment of the plaintiffs, who are owed approximately $150 million. After all, “no one can afford luxury and debt.” The underlying policy of these New York state regulations is that we should not be allowed to live together.”
Giuliani’s son, Andrew, filed court documents earlier this month identifying himself as the rightful owner of the World Series ring. He said his father gave him four rings as a gift in 2018 – one for each of the Yankees’ championships in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Rudy Giuliani received the ring while he was mayor of New York City. The younger Mr. Giuliani’s lawsuit is pending in federal court in Manhattan.
Mr. Freeman and Mr. Moss also asked that Mr. Lehman be ordered to turn over a mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, estimated to be worth more than $3 million, to Rudy Giuliani. But the property is embroiled in other lawsuits, with Giuliani arguing it should be exempt because it is his primary residence. Freeman and Moss have liens on real estate in Florida.
Lehman said he would take up the Florida condo at a hearing scheduled for Oct. 28, during which he would bar Rudy Giuliani from selling the property or taking any action that would reduce its value. Ta.
After the $148 million judgment, Giuliani filed for bankruptcy, and attempts by Freeman and Moss to recover their winnings were frozen. But a judge dismissed the case in July, citing repeated “uncooperative conduct,” including failure to comply with court orders and disclose sources of income.
