Georgia Election Workers Sue Giuliani to Seize His Condo

Giuliani Faces Lawsuit from Georgia Election Workers Over Florida Condo Move

Rudolph Giuliani, the former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, is once again at the center of a legal battle, this time with two former Georgia election workers who previously won a $148 million defamation judgment against him. Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea’ “Shaye” Moss filed a civil lawsuit on Friday, accusing Giuliani of attempting to shield his Florida luxury condominium from being seized to satisfy the judgment. Their complaint alleges that Giuliani’s recent declaration of the condo as his primary residence is a calculated move to exploit Florida’s “homestead” law, which protects a person’s primary home from court judgments, according to a recent report by Reuters.

Allegations of Evasion

Freeman and Moss argue that Giuliani’s declaration, made on July 13, is a “brazen” attempt to prevent them from collecting on the $148 million judgment awarded to them last December by a Washington jury. They claim that Giuliani has not actually lived in Florida and is merely pretending to reside there to take advantage of the state’s legal protections. The complaint, filed in Manhattan federal court, seeks permission to enforce an Aug. 8 lien against Giuliani’s Palm Beach property, which could allow them to seize and sell the condo.

Giuliani’s spokesperson, Ted Goodman, responded by accusing Freeman and Moss of using the lawsuit to “harass and intimidate” the former mayor. He described the legal actions as an effort to “censor and bully” Giuliani, suggesting that the case is designed to deter others from exercising their right to free speech.

Background of the Case

The legal dispute stems from Giuliani’s role in spreading false claims that Freeman and Moss were involved in election fraud during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. These claims, which were widely discredited, led to significant personal and professional harm for the two women. In December 2023, a jury found Giuliani liable for defamation and awarded Freeman and Moss $148 million in damages.

Following the judgment, Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which temporarily protected him from creditors, including Freeman and Moss. However, the bankruptcy case was dismissed by a federal judge, who criticized Giuliani for failing to fully disclose his financial situation and for missing court deadlines. The dismissal allowed Giuliani to appeal the $148 million judgment but also left him vulnerable to legal actions from creditors.

Legal and Financial Implications

The outcome of this latest lawsuit could have significant financial implications for Giuliani, who also owns a home in Manhattan. If the court sides with Freeman and Moss, they could gain the right to seize and sell Giuliani’s Palm Beach condo to satisfy the judgment. This case adds to the growing list of legal challenges facing Giuliani, who has been a central figure in the legal battles surrounding the 2020 election.

The case, Freeman et al v. Giuliani, is currently being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under case number 24-06563. As the legal proceedings continue, the implications for Giuliani’s financial future and the broader efforts to hold key figures accountable for their roles in the election controversies remain to be seen.