Giuliani Seeks Bankruptcy Court Relief for New Defamation Trial

Rudolph Giuliani asked a bankruptcy judge for permission to file papers in a federal district court to modify a $148 million defamation judgment or seek a new trial.

Giuliani on Friday told the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York that he wants to pursue post-trial motions in the District of Columbia federal court, where he was ordered to pay two Georgia poll workers whom he falsely accused of fraud. To file papers in the DC case, the judge overseeing Giuliani’s bankruptcy must lift the automatic stay that halts litigation against Chapter 11 debtors.

“The debtor believes the outsized judgment is unreasonable on its face and does not reflect the true damages, if any, suffered by Plaintiffs,” Giuliani said in Friday’s bankruptcy court filing. “The debtor expects to be successful in having the judgment modified or vacated.”

Giuliani said he’ll seek an appeal if he fails to alter the judgment or obtain a new trial.

Giuliani, the former New York City mayor who led efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, filed for Chapter 11 in the Southern District of New York bankruptcy court last month. He faces $148 million in judgments stemming from his discredited campaign to keep Donald Trump in the White House.

Judge Beryl A. Howell of the US District Court for the District of Columbia in December allowed Georgia poll workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss to go after his assets immediately, after a jury ordered him to pay the $148 million.

Giuliani argued that reducing the amount of the damages would benefit himself as well as his creditors. The sooner he can address the judgment, the faster he’ll be able to propose a reorganization plan, he said.

Giuliani also asked the bankruptcy court for an expedited hearing on his request.

Giuliani is represented by Berger, Fischoff, Shumer, Wexler & Goodman LLP.

The case is Rudolph W. Giuliani, Bankr. S.D.N.Y., No. 23-12055, motion 1/5/24.