Judge Lewis Liman ordered the former New York City mayor to report to court after lawyers for the two former Georgia election workers who were awarded the judgment visited Mr Giuliani’s Manhattan apartment last week only to discover it had been cleared out weeks earlier. The judge had set an October 29th deadline for the long-time ally of US president-elect Donald Trump to surrender many of his possessions to lawyers for Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss. The possessions include his $5 million Upper East Side apartment, a 1980 Mercedes once owned by movie star Lauren Bacall, a shirt signed by New York Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio, dozens of luxury watches and other valuables.
When he arrived at Manhattan federal court, Mr Giuliani told reporters that he has not stood in the way of the court’s orders. “Every bit of property that they want is available, if they are entitled to it,” he said. “Now, the law says they’re not entitled to a lot of them.
For example, they want my grandfather’s watch, which is 150 years old. That’s a bit of an heirloom. Usually you don’t get those unless you’re involved in a political persecution.
In fact, having me here today is like a political persecution.” During the court proceeding, which lasted over an hour, a lawyer for Ms Freeman and Ms Moss and a lawyer for Mr Giuliani disputed whether he has done all he can to turn over assets. Judge Liman ordered Mr Giuliani to hand over the Mercedes by Monday.
Jud.