This story at a glance…

1. A judge ordered Rudy Giuliani to give up millions in assets to two defamed Georgia election workers.

2. He must turn over his Manhattan apartment, a vintage car, and personal belongings.

3. Giuliani spread false claims about the workers, leading to a $148 million judgment.

4. Failure to comply could lead to fines or jail.

Giuliani Ordered to Forfeit Millions to Election Workers

A federal judge has ordered Rudolph W. Giuliani, former personal attorney to ex-President Donald Trump, to hand over millions of dollars in assets to two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, whom he defamed after the 2020 presidential election. The ruling follows a defamation lawsuit that accused Giuliani of spreading false claims about the two women, alleging they participated in efforts to rig the election results.

Details of the Court Order
Judge Lewis J. Liman of the Federal District Court in Manhattan ordered Giuliani to transfer his Manhattan apartment, a vintage Mercedes-Benz once owned by actress Lauren Bacall, and various other personal possessions to Freeman and Moss within seven days. This includes furniture, sports memorabilia, jewelry, and 26 watches. Among these is a watch of sentimental value, which Giuliani said was a gift from his grandfather. However, Judge Liman ruled that the law does not exempt it from seizure.

The judge allowed Giuliani's son, Andrew, to keep his father's Yankee World Series rings for now, pending confirmation that they were indeed a gift from father to son. Once the assets are transferred, Freeman and Moss are expected to sell them, using the proceeds toward the $148 million judgment Giuliani owes them. The judgment was handed down by a federal jury after finding Giuliani liable for defamation.

Background of the Defamation Case
Freeman and Moss filed their defamation suit against Giuliani in December 2021, accusing him of spreading baseless accusations that they were involved in election fraud. The claims, which Giuliani made publicly, led to widespread threats and harassment against the two women and their families. These accusations stemmed from Giuliani’s involvement in efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, where he promoted the narrative that the election was stolen from Trump.

For nearly two years, Giuliani failed to cooperate with the legal process, repeatedly refusing to provide information on his finances or business dealings. This lack of cooperation ultimately led to a ruling in favor of Freeman and Moss, with the jury determining the massive sum owed to them.

Giuliani, who has reported assets worth approximately $10 million, filed for bankruptcy last December but had his case dismissed eight months later for failing to meet reporting requirements. He now faces the potential loss of more assets, including a Florida condo, if a January trial concludes that the property does not qualify as his primary residence, which he argues should protect it from seizure.

Impact and Legal Implications
If Giuliani fails to comply with the order, he could be found in contempt of court, which may result in additional fines or imprisonment. His legal team has indicated they plan to appeal the $148 million judgment, arguing that Freeman and Moss would have to return the assets if the appeal is successful. However, unless the judgment is overturned or significantly reduced, the two women are unlikely to return any of Giuliani’s property.

In addition to the defamation case, Giuliani faces multiple other legal challenges, including criminal trials in Georgia and Arizona related to his efforts to keep Trump in office after the 2020 election. His legal troubles have also led to the loss of his law licenses in both New York and Washington, D.C.

Reflection
This case serves as a reminder of the power of words and the responsibilities that come with public speech. Proverbs 18:21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death," and, as Christians, we are called to speak truth and use our words to build up, not tear down. This situation encourages us to reflect on the importance of honesty and the consequences that can arise when truth is sacrificed for personal or political gain. Let us pray for wisdom and integrity in all our communications, seeking to reflect Christ’s love in our actions and words.