Giuliani Found in Contempt of Court, Yet Escapes Incarceration
District Judge Lewis Liman possessed the authority to incarcerate the former mayor of New York.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — A federal judge found Rudy Giuliani in civil contempt of court on two occasions on Monday due to his inadequate responses to document and information requests from two Georgia women who secured a $148 million defamation judgment against him in 2023.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman had the authority to imprison Giuliani for defying court orders, but opted against such a measure. Instead, he ruled that Giuliani can no longer use a key legal defense which could have enabled the former New York City mayor to retain his Palm Beach condo, currently sought by Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.
Following the defamation jury verdict, which determined that Giuliani falsely accused them of election fraud post-2020 election, Freeman and Moss have spent months attempting to claim the condo and other valuable assets from Giuliani to recover the substantial amount he owes them. They contend that Giuliani has been obstructive in fulfilling mandatory requests pertaining to his property.
Freeman and Moss suffered harassment and death threats as a result of Giuliani's false statements about them. Giuliani has neglected to respond to inquiries regarding his living situation that could clarify if he genuinely designated the Palm Beach condo as his primary residence. The requests included details about medical and legal professionals he has consulted as well as information on his various communication accounts.
Due to his lack of compliance, Liman ruled Giuliani in contempt and restricted the evidence he can present in his defense at an upcoming trial regarding his ability to keep the condo. Liman, who will oversee this trial, indicated he would likely conclude that Giuliani lacks adequate information to substantiate his claim that the condo is his primary residence.
These penalties significantly increase Giuliani's risk of losing the property, his last remaining residence, to the plaintiffs.
Liman remarked, “Defendant willfully violated the clear and unambiguous order of the court,” emphasizing that he “takes judicial notice of the fact that [Giuliani] was until recently a barred attorney.”
During the contempt hearing, Giuliani appeared in person on Friday and continued to testify virtually on Monday. Despite his attempts to explain his noncompliance, Liman found his explanations insufficient, describing some as “preposterous.”
At one point, Giuliani expressed doubt about the motives of the plaintiffs’ attorneys. Liman countered that this skepticism “is not an excuse for violating the court’s orders.” He stressed, “It was not an excuse to take the law into his own hands.”
Although Giuliani voiced concerns about the security of his communications and the potential exposure of his personal contact details, it was Liman who requested the removal of a document displaying Giuliani’s email address and phone number during the hearing.
Liman held Giuliani in contempt a second time for his ongoing failure to meet discovery obligations, noting he would decide on sanctions at a later time.
These rulings severely impact Giuliani's legal standing, especially as he navigates several civil and criminal cases. Nevertheless, he maintains support from his high-profile client, President-elect Donald Trump, who recently praised Giuliani as “the greatest mayor.” Trump remarked, “But what they’ve done to Rudy…” expressing his belief that “Rudy’s going to come out on top.”
Giuliani is set for a second contempt hearing on Friday in Washington, presided over by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, who managed the defamation trial in December 2023.
Freeman and Moss urge Howell to hold Giuliani in contempt for allegedly breaching an agreement not to make additional defamatory remarks about them, claiming he restated his false accusations during two recent podcast appearances.
The two women have already seized many of Giuliani's possessions, including watches, a ring, and a vintage Mercedes-Benz convertible. He is currently in the process of surrendering his Manhattan apartment as well.
Yet, Giuliani has resisted these actions and has not delivered several items mandated by the court, such as a Joe DiMaggio jersey and his grandfather’s pocket watch.
During testimony, Giuliani stated he refused to relinquish the watch due to concerns the plaintiffs might misplace it, opting instead to keep it in a safe deposit box. On Monday, he even displayed the watch during his testimony.
He also claimed he cannot locate the jersey.
After the hearing, a Giuliani spokesperson commented that while the plaintiffs' attorneys “might be happy to fight to take away Mayor Giuliani’s most cherished personal belongings including his signed baseball jersey of his childhood hero and his grandfather’s pocket watch,” they cannot diminish his “extraordinary record of public service.”
Giuliani’s compliance with the court's orders regarding the turnover of his property is subject to a separate contempt motion by Freeman and Moss, a matter Liman indicated would be addressed at a later date.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman had the authority to imprison Giuliani for defying court orders, but opted against such a measure. Instead, he ruled that Giuliani can no longer use a key legal defense which could have enabled the former New York City mayor to retain his Palm Beach condo, currently sought by Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.
Following the defamation jury verdict, which determined that Giuliani falsely accused them of election fraud post-2020 election, Freeman and Moss have spent months attempting to claim the condo and other valuable assets from Giuliani to recover the substantial amount he owes them. They contend that Giuliani has been obstructive in fulfilling mandatory requests pertaining to his property.
Freeman and Moss suffered harassment and death threats as a result of Giuliani's false statements about them. Giuliani has neglected to respond to inquiries regarding his living situation that could clarify if he genuinely designated the Palm Beach condo as his primary residence. The requests included details about medical and legal professionals he has consulted as well as information on his various communication accounts.
Due to his lack of compliance, Liman ruled Giuliani in contempt and restricted the evidence he can present in his defense at an upcoming trial regarding his ability to keep the condo. Liman, who will oversee this trial, indicated he would likely conclude that Giuliani lacks adequate information to substantiate his claim that the condo is his primary residence.
These penalties significantly increase Giuliani's risk of losing the property, his last remaining residence, to the plaintiffs.
Liman remarked, “Defendant willfully violated the clear and unambiguous order of the court,” emphasizing that he “takes judicial notice of the fact that [Giuliani] was until recently a barred attorney.”
During the contempt hearing, Giuliani appeared in person on Friday and continued to testify virtually on Monday. Despite his attempts to explain his noncompliance, Liman found his explanations insufficient, describing some as “preposterous.”
At one point, Giuliani expressed doubt about the motives of the plaintiffs’ attorneys. Liman countered that this skepticism “is not an excuse for violating the court’s orders.” He stressed, “It was not an excuse to take the law into his own hands.”
Although Giuliani voiced concerns about the security of his communications and the potential exposure of his personal contact details, it was Liman who requested the removal of a document displaying Giuliani’s email address and phone number during the hearing.
Liman held Giuliani in contempt a second time for his ongoing failure to meet discovery obligations, noting he would decide on sanctions at a later time.
These rulings severely impact Giuliani's legal standing, especially as he navigates several civil and criminal cases. Nevertheless, he maintains support from his high-profile client, President-elect Donald Trump, who recently praised Giuliani as “the greatest mayor.” Trump remarked, “But what they’ve done to Rudy…” expressing his belief that “Rudy’s going to come out on top.”
Giuliani is set for a second contempt hearing on Friday in Washington, presided over by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, who managed the defamation trial in December 2023.
Freeman and Moss urge Howell to hold Giuliani in contempt for allegedly breaching an agreement not to make additional defamatory remarks about them, claiming he restated his false accusations during two recent podcast appearances.
The two women have already seized many of Giuliani's possessions, including watches, a ring, and a vintage Mercedes-Benz convertible. He is currently in the process of surrendering his Manhattan apartment as well.
Yet, Giuliani has resisted these actions and has not delivered several items mandated by the court, such as a Joe DiMaggio jersey and his grandfather’s pocket watch.
During testimony, Giuliani stated he refused to relinquish the watch due to concerns the plaintiffs might misplace it, opting instead to keep it in a safe deposit box. On Monday, he even displayed the watch during his testimony.
He also claimed he cannot locate the jersey.
After the hearing, a Giuliani spokesperson commented that while the plaintiffs' attorneys “might be happy to fight to take away Mayor Giuliani’s most cherished personal belongings including his signed baseball jersey of his childhood hero and his grandfather’s pocket watch,” they cannot diminish his “extraordinary record of public service.”
Giuliani’s compliance with the court's orders regarding the turnover of his property is subject to a separate contempt motion by Freeman and Moss, a matter Liman indicated would be addressed at a later date.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
