Combative Giuliani appears in NYC court after missing a deadline to surrender assets

NEW YORK (AP) — A combative Rudy Giuliani said a civil case to take his most prized assets was like “a political persecution” before he entered a New York City courthouse Thursday to explain to a federal judge why he hasn't surrendered his valuables as part of a $148 million defamation judgment.

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 massive judgment visited Giuliani’s Manhattan apartment last week only to discover it had been cleared out weeks earlier.

The judge had set an Oct. 29 deadline for the longtime ally of once-and-future President 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, 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 Freeman and Moss and a lawyer for Giuliani disputed whether Giuliani has done all he can to turn over assets.

Liman ordered Giuliani to hand over the Mercedes by Monday.

Liman originally scheduled a phone conference about the situation, but he changed it to a hearing in Manhattan federal court that Giuliani must attend after learning about the visit to the former mayor's apartment.

Aaron Nathan, an attorney for the election workers, wrote in a letter to Liman that the residence was already “substantially empty” when representatives for his clients visited with a moving company official to assess the transportation and storage needs for the property Giuliani was ordered to surrender.

He said the group was told most of the apartment's contents, including art, sports memorabilia and other valuables, had been moved out about four weeks prior and that some of it had been placed in storage on Long Island.

At the hearing, Nathan complained that efforts to get assets were met by “delay and then evasion.”

Giuliani spoke directly to the judge at one point, saying he'd been “treated rudely” by those trying to take control of his assets.

They have so far argued unsuccessfully that Giuliani should not be forced to turn over his belongings while he appeals the judgment.

Liman also denied a request from Giuliani's legal team to postpone Thursday's court appearance to next week or hold it by phone, as originally planned.

A Giuliani spokesperson, meanwhile, dismissed the legal wrangling as intimidation tactics.

“Opposing counsel, acting either negligently or deliberately in a deceptive manner, are simply attempting to further bully and intimidate Mayor Giuliani until he is rendered penniless and homeless,” Ted Goodman, his spokesperson, said earlier this week.

Giuliani was found liable for defamation for falsely accusing Freeman and Moss of ballot fraud as he pushed Trump's unsubstantiated election fraud allegations during the 2020 campaign.

The women said they faced death threats after Giuliani accused the two of sneaking in ballots in suitcases, counting ballots multiple times and tampering with voting machines.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani arrives at the court to explain to a federal judge why he hasn't surrendered his valuables as part of a $148 million defamation judgment, in New York, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani arrives at the court to explain to a federal judge why he hasn't surrendered his valuables as part of a $148 million defamation judgment, in New York, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani arrives at the court to explain to a federal judge why he hasn't surrendered his valuables as part of a $148 million defamation judgment, in New York, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Rudy Giuliani, center, arrives to federal court in New York, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Rudy Giuliani, center, arrives to federal court in New York, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani arrives at the court to explain to a federal judge why he hasn't surrendered his valuables as part of a $148 million defamation judgment, in New York, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani arrives at the court to explain to a federal judge why he hasn't surrendered his valuables as part of a $148 million defamation judgment, in New York, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

This photo provided by the Financial Times shows Rudy Giuliani in the passenger seat of a Mercedes convertible at the same polling place where Donald Trump cast his ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (Alex Rogers/Financial Times via AP)

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani arrives at the court to explain to a federal judge why he hasn't surrendered his valuables as part of a $148 million defamation judgment, in New York, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani arrives at the court to explain to a federal judge why he hasn't surrendered his valuables as part of a $148 million defamation judgment, in New York, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Republican Jeff Hurd has won the U.S. House seat in Colorado that Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert left, fulfilling the congresswoman’s hope that her mid-election departure from the race would make it easier for a different Republican to retain the seat that she nearly lost in 2022.

Hurd, more mild-mannered than Boebert and hewing to an older GOP tradition, beat Adam Frisch, the Democrat who nearly unseated Boebert two years ago in the 3rd Congressional District, which covers the state’s Rocky Mountains.

Hurd was leading by about 11,500 votes in unofficial results as of Thursday — a much larger margin than the 546 votes Boebert won by in 2022. Boebert won Tuesday in the 4th Congressional District.

Hurd campaigned on a platform centered around rural jobs and the cost of living, alongside more national issues such as border security.

“I got into this race to ensure that our rural communities are not forgotten,” he said in a written statement. “It will be an honor and privilege to represent the district where I was raised.”

Hurd thanked Frisch and voters for participating in the elections process, saying, “Your engagement is the lifeblood of our democracy. Let us move forward with confidence in our democratic institutions.”

Hurd overcame a massive fundraising deficit against Frisch, who had one of the largest U.S. House campaign chests in the nation. Frisch’s contributions were fueled by donations from around the country from Democrats who disliked Boebert. Frisch is a businessman and former city councilmember in Aspen.

Frisch, in a phone call, said former and incoming President Donald Trump's sweeping victory this week presented a challenge for his own prospects in the historically Republican-leaning district.

“There’s only so much you can swim against the tide,” he said. As for whether Frisch would have won if Boebert hadn’t left the race, he remarked, “Do I think we would’ve beaten Boebert? Yes. Can I guarantee that? No."

Boebert is an ardent Trump loyalist and a rabble-rouser who’s helped define an ultra-conservative flank of the House. She left the race to run in the 4th District, a Republican stronghold covering a sweep of the Great Plains, saying she didn’t want to give Democrats a chance to “buy” the seat in the 3rd.

Boebert's move came after Frisch nearly beat her two years ago. She was later caught on tape vaping and groping with a date in a Denver theater, which rattled even loyal supporters.

Justifying her change of districts, Boebert said, “There is a need for my voice in Congress.”

She later said she wanted a fresh start for her family after a messy and public divorce.

After successfully fighting through a packed Republican primary election, where she avoided a surprise political threat with some behind-the-scenes maneuvering, Boebert is now the incumbent in a safely red seat formerly held by conservative Republican Rep. Ken Buck.

When Buck resigned earlier this year, he cited the flank of the party that is known for its hardheaded politics and unwavering devotion to Trump — traits that made Boebert a name brand.

Hurd's victory also bore out Boebert's hope that her move would allow Republicans to maintain control of the district that first elected her in 2020.

Boebert has been criticized for her intractable politics — stonewalling the January 2023 vote to elect Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy as House speaker, for example — but has said that her actions are aimed at keeping the promises she made on the campaign trail.

FILE - Candidates for Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, Jeff Hurd and Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., shake hands as Hurd's daughter, Gabriella Hurd, looks on, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Towaoc, Colo. (AP Photo/Jerry McBride)