Rudy Giuliani to hand over AU$9m glitzy apartment. Picture: Brandon Bell/Getty Images; Realtor
Embattled former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is facing yet another hurdle in his ongoing legal tussle with two election workers he was found guilty of defaming.
The pair accused him of secretly emptying the $US6.5 million ($A9.7 million) New York City apartment he has been ordered to hand over to them as part of a $US150 million ($A225 million) damages payout, according to Realtor.
Mother and daughter Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss successfully sued Mr Giuliani for defamation in 2023, claiming that their lives had been destroyed as a result of the lies that were spread about them by the disbarred lawyer and several other members of the Republican Party in the wake of the 2020 presidential election.
After being awarded $US148 ($A222 million) in damages, Ms Freeman and Ms Moss asked New York Federal judge Lewis Liman to give them control of many of Mr Giuliani’s assets, claiming that the 80-year-old had made multiple attempts to “evade” paying the damages he owed.
Those assets included his Manhattan apartment, which is worth an estimated $US6 million ($A9 million); his property in Palm Beach, Florida, which is worth $3.5 million ($A5.2 million); a Mercedes-Benz; and his New York Yankees World Series rings.
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Rudy Giuliani. Picture: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss. Picture: Alex Wong/Getty Images
In October, a judge agreed to the request, ordering Mr Giuliani to hand over a number of his most valuable belongings, including the New York City apartment — which he had made repeated attempts to sell — as well as a collection of valuable watches, a signed Joe DiMaggio jersey, various sports memorabilia, and his 1980 Mercedes-Benz that was once owned by Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall.
However, after being given the keys to the property, Ms Freeman and Ms Moss say they discovered that it had been almost entirely “emptied of its contents,” according to a new letter filed by their lawyer, Aaron Nathan, who alleges that Mr Giuliani has also failed to transfer possession of his Mercedes or his luxury watch collection.
“Save for some rugs, a dining room table, some stray pieces of small furniture and inexpensive wall art, and a handful of smaller items like dishes and stereo equipment, the Apartment has been emptied of all of its contents,” the letter reads, according to CNN.
Mr Nathan goes on to allege that these items were removed “weeks” before Ms Freeman and Ms Moss were given access to the property, and that Mr Giuliani and his lawyers have refused to answer inquiries about the whereabouts of the valuable items that his clients are owed.
“That silence is especially outrageous given the revelation that Defendant apparently took affirmative steps to move his property out of the New York Apartment in recent weeks, while a restraining notice was in effect and while a turnover motion was pending with respect to that property,” he said.
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The former New York City mayor listed the property in July 2023. Picture: Realtor
The listing was removed in early October 2024. Picture: Realtor
According to Mr Nathan, Mr Giuliani’s lawyers later told him that a number of items from inside the apartment had been relocated to a storage facility in Ronkonkoma on Long Island, New York, but that they neglected to share specific details about what these assets are.
Judge Liman has now ordered Mr Giuliani to appear in court November 7 to explain in person where exactly his valuables are being held — and why they were removed from his apartment before Ms Freeman and Ms Moss were given access.
It is currently unclear what the mother and daughter plan to do with the apartment; however, Mr Nathan stated that they had hoped to decide which items they wish to keep and put in storage and which they will get rid of or sell.
It was thought that Mr Giuliani had hoped to sell his New York City penthouse condo before it could be handed over to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. Picture: Realtor
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom condo, priced at $US5.18 million ($A7.8 million) as of earlier this month, boasts a wood-panelled library, a wood-burning fireplace and views of Central Park.
Located on the Upper East Side close to Central Park and Madison Avenue, the landmarked building dates to 1906 and fronts a Gothic-inspired brick and terra-cotta facade.
Staffing at the white-glove co-op includes porters, a resident manager, and 24/7 door attendants. They’re covered by a monthly fee of $10,719 ($A16,258).
Mr Giuliani had seven days to turn over his apartment into a receivership controlled by Ms Freeman and Ms Moss. Picture: Realtor
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom condo, priced at $US5.18 million. Picture: Realtor
The home boasts stunning views of Central Park. Picture: Realtor
Giuliani’s latest legal hurdle comes just one day after political insiders alleged that he is exploring another run for the New York mayor’s office in 2025.
According to the New York Post, he did not outright deny the claims, telling the publication from his Palm Beach, FL, property: “I’m not going to say never, ever, ever.”
He did, however, note that he is not actively campaigning for office presently.
This story first appeared on Realtor and the New York Post and has been republished with permission.
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