A legal battle between former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and two Georgia election workers reached a pivotal moment in federal court.
According to Axios, a federal judge ordered Giuliani to transfer his personal property, including his Manhattan penthouse, to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss following a $148 million defamation judgment.
The mother-daughter duo from Fulton County, Georgia, who worked as election workers during the 2020 presidential election, have been pursuing the collection of damages for several months since the court's decision.
Federal Judge Issues Strict Property Transfer Decree
Judge Lewis Liman's Manhattan federal court order mandates Giuliani to surrender various assets within a seven-day timeframe, placing them under the control of a receivership managed by Freeman and Moss.
The order encompasses Giuliani's Madison Avenue co-op apartment, cash accounts, jewelry, and other valuable possessions, enabling the women to initiate the property's sale process.
The court also granted Freeman and Moss the authority to pursue approximately $2 million in legal fees that Giuliani claims the Trump campaign still owes him.
Legal Representatives Address Court Decision Impact
Aaron Nathan, representing Freeman and Moss, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating:
We are proud that our clients will finally begin to receive some of the compensation to which they are entitled for Giuliani's actions. This outcome should send a powerful message that there is a price to pay for those who choose to intentionally spread disinformation.
The legal team's statement underscored the significance of holding individuals accountable for spreading false information about election workers. Giuliani's representatives have not provided any response to requests for comment regarding the court's decision.
Complex Legal Journey Leads To Property Seizure
The case originated in December 2021 when Freeman and Moss filed a lawsuit against Giuliani, accusing him of orchestrating a defamation campaign that falsely claimed they manipulated election results in Georgia to secure President Biden's victory.
The controversy centered around Giuliani's social media dissemination of a video showing Freeman and Moss processing ballots in Atlanta on November 3, 2020, accompanied by baseless allegations of fraudulent ballot handling.
A judge ruled in August 2023 that Giuliani was liable for defamation, civil conspiracy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, leading to a jury's decision to award damages in December 2023.
Significant Ruling Marks Turning Point In Election Worker Case
The recent property surrender order represents a significant development in the ongoing legal saga between Giuliani and the Georgia election workers. The former mayor's attempts to seek bankruptcy protection were thwarted when a federal judge in New York dismissed the case in July.
The court's decision to transfer Giuliani's Manhattan property and other assets marks a decisive victory for Freeman and Moss, who endured false accusations regarding their role in the 2020 election. Judge Liman has yet to determine the status of Giuliani's Palm Beach condominium and World Series rings, which his son claims were gifted to him.
