Rudy Giuliani appeared in court on Friday for a contempt hearing to determine whether he has been avoiding or misleading lawyers trying to recover a $148 million judgment.
The judgment was awarded to two Georgia election workers after Giuliani was found liable for defaming them during the 2020 presidential election.
The workers were falsely accused by Giuliani of tampering with ballots, which led to the defamation case.
The hearing took place in front of Judge Lewis J. Liman, who may decide whether Giuliani should face civil sanctions for failing to follow an earlier order to hand over certain assets.
These assets are being sought to help pay off the $148 million judgment.
Giuliani had initially requested to attend the hearing remotely, but he changed his mind after the judge indicated that attending in person would give him more options during the proceedings.
Lawyers representing the election workers argued that Giuliani has shown a “consistent pattern of willful defiance” by not fully complying with the court’s order.
They claim he has turned over some assets, including a Mercedes-Benz and his New York apartment, but has not provided the necessary paperwork to convert these into cash to satisfy the judgment.
Giuliani is also accused of failing to surrender valuable items, such as signed sports memorabilia, including a Joe DiMaggio shirt, and watches.
Furthermore, the lawyers claim that he has not handed over a single dollar from his nonexempt cash accounts.
In response to the defiance, Judge Liman issued an order last week asking Giuliani’s lawyers to explain why their client should not be held in contempt, a ruling that could result in serious consequences for him.
Giuliani’s Florida residence, a property in Palm Beach, is at risk, and a trial to determine whether it can be seized is scheduled for mid-January. Giuliani has argued that the Palm Beach property is his primary residence and should be protected from the judgment.
Giuliani’s legal team believes he will eventually win the appeal over the items, but for now, his legal troubles continue as he faces the possibility of additional sanctions or even the loss of more personal property.
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Archer Bannister is a journalist with 4 years of experience covering hard-hitting stories. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Archer specializes in delivering timely and in-depth updates on a variety of topics, including crime news, politics, and national issues affecting the USA. His expertise and dedication to delivering accurate, impactful news make him a trusted voice for audiences seeking to stay informed on critical topics.
