WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 30: Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and current lawyer for U.S. President Donald Trump, speaks to members of the media during a White House Sports and Fitness Day at the South Lawn of the White House May 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. President Trump hosted the event to encourage children to participate in sports and make youth sports more accessible to economically disadvantaged students. (Photo: Getty)
Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and attorney for Donald Trump, testified Friday in a contempt hearing, insisting he’s not hiding assets from attorneys seeking to enforce a $148 million defamation judgment against him.
The case stems from his false accusations against two Georgia election workers during the 2020 presidential election.
Appearing before Judge Lewis J. Liman in Manhattan, Giuliani portrayed himself as overwhelmed and disorganized while managing multiple legal cases. He denied intentionally withholding assets, including a signed Joe DiMaggio jersey and a 120-year-old gold watch, which have become focal points of the case.
“I wasn’t trying to hide it from anyone,” Giuliani said about the watch, which he kept because he feared it might get lost if handed over. Regarding the DiMaggio jersey, Giuliani claimed it disappeared from his Manhattan apartment in September and expressed uncertainty about its whereabouts.
Judge Liman acknowledged Giuliani’s apparent cooperation during the three-hour testimony but pointed out clear violations of court orders. “You’re in violation of a court order at least in regards to that,” Liman said, referring to the missing jersey.
The election workers’ attorney, Meryl Conant Governski, emphasized asset recovery over holding Giuliani in contempt, although she noted his “consistent pattern of willful defiance” in complying with the October 2023 court order.
Giuliani has surrendered some assets, including a Mercedes-Benz and his New York apartment, but has not provided the necessary paperwork to monetize them or turned over other items, such as sports memorabilia and cash from nonexempt accounts.
Giuliani explained he felt overwhelmed by court orders in “15 to 20 other cases” and found the two-week timeframe to respond to requests unusually short. He admitted to confusion over his possessions, claiming many items were lost during his divorce six years ago or given away, including signed Yankees memorabilia.
The case also involves Giuliani’s Florida condominium, which he argues is his personal residence and should be shielded from the judgment.
Let us know what you think of the story in the comments below – join the conversation!
Joy Behar said on The View that she wishes President Donald Trump had purchased a rocket from Elon Musk to "go to…
A source close to Trump Jr. has simply stated that Trump Jr. is “cool” with…
The Tate brothers are required to return to Romania within the month in order to…
Hunter Biden won his bid to drop his laptop hacking lawsuit after asserting he was having…
Teddi Mellencamp, known for her role on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, recently opened…
Stefani said, regarding her politics, “I can see how people would be curious, but I…