Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani filed for bankruptcy on Thursday, following a recent court order to pay $148 million in damages to two Georgia election workers falsely accused of fraud after the 2020 presidential election loss of Donald Trump.
The bankruptcy filing, submitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York, revealed Giuliani’s financial challenges, with liabilities ranging from $100 million to $500 million and assets between $1 million and $10 million. Giuliani, who faces criminal charges in Georgia, is grappling with debts stemming from his legal work on behalf of former President Trump.
A spokesperson for Giuliani, Ted Goodman, emphasized the filing’s purpose, stating, “No person could have reasonably believed that Mayor Rudy Giuliani would be able to pay such a high punitive amount.” Goodman highlighted that the bankruptcy process would provide Giuliani with the necessary time to appeal the $148 million penalty and ensure fair treatment of other creditors.
The bankruptcy proceedings, a legal mechanism to reorganize or eliminate debts, will temporarily halt ongoing civil lawsuits against Giuliani. However, it may not shield him from the defamation penalties owed to the two former election workers, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and Ruby Freeman, as judges have ruled that such penalties cannot be discharged in cases of “willful and malicious” conduct.
Giuliani’s false claims against Moss and Freeman led to a barrage of threats, prompting the two to file a second lawsuit. Despite admitting in court that his statements were defamatory, Giuliani continues to repeat them, prompting a federal judge to order immediate payments to the two women, citing concerns that Giuliani might attempt to conceal his assets.
Giuliani, once known as “America’s mayor” for his post-9/11 leadership, has faced a series of challenges, including the suspension of his law license in New York and potential disbarment in Washington. Time magazine’s former Person of the Year and a failed contender for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, Giuliani’s recent legal troubles extend beyond the defamation case.
The bankruptcy filing lists President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and former employee Noelle Dunphy as creditors. Giuliani faces lawsuits from both, with Hunter Biden suing for privacy violations related to his laptop’s data, and Dunphy suing for sexual assault, harassment, and wage theft – allegations that Giuliani denies. Dunphy’s lawyer, Justin Kelton, affirmed their commitment to pursuing the case.
Among Giuliani’s other creditors are Smartmatic and an employee of Dominion Voting Systems, both facing lawsuits for Giuliani’s claims of vote manipulation in the 2020 election. Giuliani also disclosed owing nearly $1 million to the U.S. and New York state governments, along with almost $2 million in legal fees, with two law firms suing for unpaid bills.
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