Tue Jan 07 04:32:53 IST 2025: ## Giuliani Held in Contempt of Court for Failure to Pay Defamation Penalty

**Washington, D.C. –** Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been held in contempt of court for failing to fully comply with a court order to disclose his assets to satisfy a $148 million defamation judgment. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled on Monday that Giuliani “willfully violated a clear and unambiguous order” of the court.

The ruling stems from a December 2023 jury verdict that found Giuliani liable for defaming Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, two Georgia election workers. Giuliani, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, had falsely accused the women of election fraud, leading to harassment and death threats. The jury awarded Freeman and Moss $73 million in compensatory damages and $75 million in punitive damages.

Giuliani’s lawyers argued that he had made efforts to comply, turning over assets such as a Mercedes-Benz and a New York apartment. However, they claimed the deadline for providing documentation regarding a Palm Beach condominium, and other assets including sports memorabilia and cash, was too short. They also argued that requests for information were overly broad.

Judge Liman rejected these arguments, stating that Giuliani’s busy schedule was not an excuse for non-compliance. The judge’s decision specifically focused on Giuliani’s failure to provide sufficient documentation concerning the Palm Beach condominium, which Giuliani claims as his primary residence. Lawyers for Freeman and Moss allege that withheld documents could prove the condo is not his primary residence, making it subject to seizure.

Giuliani, facing multiple other legal battles in Georgia and Arizona related to his spread of false election claims, claimed he was overwhelmed by the demands of various legal cases. However, Judge Liman dismissed this claim as insufficient justification for his non-compliance. The contempt order adds another layer of legal pressure on Giuliani as he struggles to meet the substantial financial obligations imposed by the defamation judgment.

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