By Luc Cohen
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Rudy Giuliani was reprimanded by a federal judge on Tuesday after the former New York City mayor interrupted a court hearing and pleaded that he could not pay his bills because two Georgia election workers to whom he owes $148 million , have his money tied up. assets.
Giuliani, once personal lawyer to newly-elected US President Donald Trump, spoke ahead of a trial in January to determine which assets he must surrender to Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea Moss.
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The two election workers won the $148 million verdict from a Washington, DC, jury after accusing Giuliani of destroying their reputations by lying that they tried to steal the 2020 US presidential election from Trump.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in Manhattan previously threatened Giuliani with civil contempt for failing to surrender assets, including a luxury Manhattan apartment, to partially cover what he owed.
Giuliani’s lawyer Joseph Cammarata told Liman that his client had transferred 90% of the assets.
But the judge questioned Giuliani’s alleged struggle to secure paperwork to turn over his 1980 Mercedes car, saying Giuliani’s previous job as the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan was a sign that he was fully competent.
That prompted the 80-year-old Giuliani to speak out and complain that his daily life was being paralyzed by election workers.
“Your suggestion that I have not been diligent in this is completely false,” Giuliani said from the defense table, pointing to the judge.
“I don’t have a car, I don’t have a credit card, I don’t have any cash,” Giuliani said. “I can’t pay my bills.”
Liman then warned Giuliani that he could no longer speak in court unless he testified under oath, because his lawyer would have to do the talking.
“There should be no higher priority for your client at this time than complying with the court’s orders. Period,” Liman told Cammarata.
The scheduled trial on January 16 will focus on whether Giuliani must surrender Florida property and sports memorabilia.
Liman separately rejected Giuliani’s request to delay the trial so he could attend events related to Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration. Cammarata said Giuliani continues to consult regularly with Trump.
“The suspect’s social agenda does not constitute a valid reason,” Liman said.
Giuliani has been suspended in New York and has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in Georgia and Arizona that he helped Trump’s failed attempt to overturn the 2020 election.
Trump, a Republican, won a second term as president on November 5, defeating Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
