Rudy Giuliani is aiming to avoid a “media frenzy” by postponing the collection of $2 million in unpaid legal fees from Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign until after the presidential election. This information surfaced in a recent court filing.
The Manhattan federal court is currently evaluating the assets Giuliani might need to liquidate to settle the $148 million judgment he owes to two Georgia election workers. They were wrongfully accused by him of attempting to rig the election against Trump.
Giuliani requests a court delay on the enforcement of this collection to prevent the perception that he is pursuing Trump legally prior to the election.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
He expressed concerns that Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the election workers involved, might seek to collect their owed amount from Trump, potentially for political reasons. In his filing, Giuliani suggested, “The Court should delay any action until after Election Day, November 6, 2024.”
He warned that allowing this transfer could create the misleading impression that he is taking legal action against Trump, generating unnecessary media attention.
Giuliani contends that the value of the debt will remain stable until after the election. He previously indicated that the Trump campaign owes him for legal services rendered in 2020.
While representing Trump, Giuliani mistakenly alleged that Freeman and Moss were seen on surveillance footage tampering with ballots in Atlanta. Consequently, they filed a defamation suit resulting in a jury awarding them $148 million in December 2023. Now, they are attempting to collect that amount from Giuliani.
In the recent court document, attorney Kenneth Caruso noted that Giuliani is not keen on liquidating personal items to pay Moss and Freeman. He referenced a list including various wristwatches, some of which were gifts from foreign leaders in recognition of Giuliani’s emergency response efforts during the 9/11 attacks.
Additionally, items categorized as collectibles, like sports memorabilia and a vintage Mercedes once owned by Lauren Bacall, were mentioned. Giuliani’s request includes that the court imposes a receivership on these properties, ensuring they’re held but not sold until the D.C. Circuit resolves his expedited appeal.