Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and disbarred lawyer, erupted in a Manhattan federal courtroom Tuesday during a hearing in his $148 million defamation case. Judge Lewis Liman set a January 16 trial date, prompting Giuliani to accuse the judge of bias.
“Every implication you’ve made is against me!” Giuliani shouted when questioned about failing to provide the title for a 1980 Mercedes convertible he owes to Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss. The two Georgia election workers won the defamation judgment after Giuliani falsely accused them of fraud in the 2020 election.
The judge noted Giuliani had surrendered the car and its keys but not the title, which Giuliani claims he lost. When Liman said the car is “meaningless” without its title, Giuliani retorted, “I did apply for it! What am I supposed to do, make it up myself?”
Giuliani also denied claims of financial distress. “I’m not impoverished,” he said, adding, “Everything I have is tied up.” Despite this, Judge Liman remained skeptical, remarking, “It doesn’t appear that your client is indigent.”
The former mayor sought to delay the trial, citing a desire to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration. Judge Liman dismissed this argument, saying a “social calendar” isn’t grounds for delay but offered to move the trial up to January 13 or 14 to accommodate Giuliani’s schedule.
This trial will determine if Giuliani can retain assets, including a Palm Beach condo and Yankees memorabilia, amid his appeal of a previous judgment. Freeman and Moss previously testified about the harassment they endured from Trump supporters following Giuliani’s defamatory claims.
The case, marked by fiery exchanges, continues to spotlight the embattled former mayor’s legal and financial woes.
