Former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani slammed questioning from lawyers representing Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss as "inappropriate" and "abusive" during his contempt of court hearing on Friday in New York City's Manhattan federal court.
Why It Matters
Giuliani, 80, also former mayor of New York City, has faced legal and financial strife in recent years, accused of involvement in attempts to overturn President-elect Donald Trump's 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.
Giuliani was found liable last year for defaming two former Georgia election workers, Freeman and her daughter Moss, after falsely accusing them of ballot tampering during the election. He was ordered to pay them $148 million in damages.
What To Know
U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman on Friday heard arguments about whether Giuliani should be held in contempt of court after attorneys for Freeman and Moss accused him of having a "consistent pattern of willful defiance" in responding to orders to hand over assets as part of the judgment, reported the Associated Press (AP).
The hearing precedes a trial to determine if Giuliani has to give up his $3.5 million Florida condo to the mother and daughter as part of his judgment.
The hearing on Friday grew more contentious, with Giuliani criticizing questions from attorneys, according to reports from inside the courtroom.
Giuliani said he felt it was "inappropriate" that attorneys asked for information about his doctors, saying he feels it is "not relevant" to the case. Liman responded that it is not Giuliani who determines the relevance.
Reuters also reported that he called the questioning "abusive" after being asked to name his doctors and lawyers.
"If there is such a thing as abusive and overbroad, this is the one you'd put in the law school textbook," he said, per Reuters.
Giuliani attended the contempt hearing in person after initial reports that he may appear remotely.
Lawyers for Freeman and Moss said earlier this week in court filings that Giuliani turned over a Mercedes-Benz and his New York apartment but did not give paperwork needed to monetize those assets. They also said that he did not turn over watches and sports memorabilia, reported the AP.
The coming trial will also determine whether the former Trump lawyer has to relinquish his World Series rings as part of the judgment.
Newsweek reached out to a spokesperson for Giuliani and an attorney representing Freeman and Moss for comment.
What People Are Saying
Giuliani, during earlier court proceedings: "I'm not impoverished. Everything I have is tied up. I don't have a car. I don't have a credit card. I don't have cash. I can't get to bank accounts that truly would be mine because they have put ... stop orders on, for example, my Social Security account, which they have no right to do."
Michael Gottlieb, attorney for Freeman and Moss, in an earlier filing: Gottlieb previously argued that Giuliani was "brazenly violating" orders not to repeat claims about his clients, which led to the initial defamation suit.
"These statements repeat the exact same lies for which Mr. Giuliani has already been held liable, and which he agreed to be bound by court order to stop repeating."
Lisa Rubin, MSNBC legal correspondent, on X: "Giuliani is being cross examined right now about his alleged intransigence in responding to discovery about the assets he owes to former GA election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. But his squirrelly answers and attempt to blame his former lawyer, a friend of many decades, are not likely to endear him to Judge Liman, the decisionmaker here."
What Happens Next
Giuliani's trial is set to begin on January 16. During the trial, Liman will determine whether the Florida condo is Giuliani's primary residence. In a recent deposition, Giuliani said he made the Florida condo his primary residence because the "staff is nicer and the people are wonderful."
The contempt of court hearing did not conclude on Friday and will carry on at a later point.
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