Rudy Giuliani, former New York Mayor and one-time lawyer to Donald Trump, finds himself in deeper legal waters as a U.S. judge terminates his bankruptcy. This decision opens the floodgates for lawsuits ranging from defamation to sexual harassment.
Judge Sean Lane of White Plains, New York, also prohibited Giuliani, aged 80, from declaring bankruptcy for another year. Giuliani had initially sought bankruptcy protection after being ordered to pay $148 million to Georgia election workers, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and her mother Ruby Freeman, whom he falsely accused of election fraud in 2020.
The bankruptcy halt had momentarily shielded Giuliani from this and other lawsuits tied to his efforts to contest the 2020 presidential election results. With the dismissal, his creditors can now pursue their claims, although Giuliani plans to appeal the hefty defamation judgment.
Moss and Freeman’s ordeal began when Trump’s campaign misrepresented surveillance footage, claiming it showed fraudulent activity. Giuliani perpetuated these falsehoods, calling the election workers “crooks.” This has led to severe repercussions in their lives, including numerous threats.
Rachel Strickland, representing Moss and Freeman, expressed satisfaction with the judge’s decision, emphasizing the need to halt Giuliani’s manipulation of bankruptcy laws.
Judge Lane criticized Giuliani’s lack of financial transparency and noted incomplete and tardy disclosures. His bankruptcy lawyers were unaware of various financial activities, including promoting a coffee brand, until creditors brought them to light.
After seven months in bankruptcy proceedings with no progress on settlements, Lane decided continuing would be financially imprudent. Giuliani’s extravagant spending post-bankruptcy filing, which included payments to his girlfriend and her daughter, also came under scrutiny.
Beyond Moss and Freeman, Giuliani faces claims from former employee Noelle Dunphy, alleging sexual assault and wage theft, and defamation lawsuits from Dominion and Smartmatic voting machine companies. He also faces criminal charges in Georgia and Arizona for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Giuliani’s legal troubles are compounded by the recent revocation of his New York law license due to baseless claims undermining the electoral process.
This development marks another chapter in Giuliani’s fall from grace, raising questions about his future amid mounting legal battles.
