Rudy Giuliani will retain his $5 million Upper East Side high-rise, vintage Mercedes, Yankees memorabilia, and other assets after a surprising settlement reached Thursday with two Georgia election workers he defamed.
What happened
According to NY POST, breakthrough followed increased negotiations starting Monday, a day after President-elect Donald Trump posted “SAVE RUDY!!!” on Truth Social, spurring a wave of donations to Giuliani’s defense fund. “Negotiations over the last 72 hours have been very extensive, going past midnight on most nights,” Giuliani’s lawyer, Joseph Cammarata, told reporters outside court.
Despite the boost from Trump’s public support, which brought in $169,000, Giuliani’s fund fell far short of the $148 million judgment against him. A Washington, D.C., federal jury found the former New York City mayor liable for defaming Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the two election workers.
Cammarata declined to comment on whether others had contributed to the settlement, calling the question “irrelevant.”
The agreement, finalized just hours before Giuliani was due to testify in a Manhattan federal court, allows him to retain his property in exchange for an undisclosed financial sum. The women described the resolution as a step toward closure. “The past four years have been a living nightmare,” they said in a statement. “We have reached an agreement and can now move forward with our lives.”
The settlement also includes a commitment from Giuliani not to defame the women in the future. Before the deal, Giuliani had faced the prospect of losing his Florida condo and cherished Yankees World Series rings, which were on the line as part of efforts to collect the judgment.
Instead of appearing in court Thursday, Giuliani posted a video of his Pomeranian, Vinny, relaxing at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, writing, “Vinny loves hanging out at Mar-a-Lago but he’s ready to spend more time in Washington, D.C., supporting his favorite President—Donald J. Trump!”
Giuliani’s son Andrew, who had planned to testify to protect the Yankees rings as gifts rather than assets, expressed relief after the settlement. “I’m truly proud of my father,” he said. “He’s an American hero, an American icon.”
The settlement marks a turning point in the legal saga. Giuliani had filed for bankruptcy and faced contempt charges in recent weeks for missing court deadlines and continuing to defame the election workers. His written statement on Thursday included an apology: “No one deserves threats, harassment, or intimidation. This litigation has taken a toll on all parties.”
The resolution ends pending litigation between the parties, but it remains unclear how the settlement affects ongoing contempt proceedings or potential penalties. For now, Giuliani can hold on to his prized possessions, including a vintage Mercedes once owned by Lauren Bacall and memorabilia signed by Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio.
