Poor Rudy Giuliani . . . literally. Not only did he lose a defamation case brought against him by two Georgia election workers; but now he has to part with his most prized possessions in order to satisfy that judgment.

How far have the mighty fallen. Once New York City’s hero of 9-11, he made the fatal mistake of taking on legal representation of Donald Trump, and then actually becoming part of the web of lies and deceit created by his client — something an experienced attorney should know better than to do. Representation is one thing; participation is quite another.

But never mind that; it’s ancient history. Let’s talk about the lifestyle the former New York City Mayor was able to create for himself — though certainly not just on his salary as Mayor, or as Associate U.S. Attorney General, or U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. His valuables include — undoubtedly among numerous other items — a Manhattan penthouse apartment; a condominium in Palm Beach, Florida; a watch given to him by European presidents after the 9-11 attacks; four New York Yankees World Series rings; a signed Joe DiMaggio jersey and other sports memorabilia; and a 1980 Mercedes automobile once owned by actress Lauren Bacall. [Katelyn Polantz, CNN, October 22, 2024.]

And now a Manhattan federal judge has ordered these items, plus a couple of million dollars allegedly still owed Giuliani by the Trump campaign, if he’s ever able to collect it — but excluding the Palm Beach condo and the World Series rings, which are still under consideration — to be turned over to the two women to whom he owes the whopping sum of $150 million. Interestingly, the order also included a TV, furniture, and other jewelry.

Those are some classy luxuries, for sure. And liquidating them should go a long way toward satisfying that rather . . . well . . . exceptional judgment.

One hundred and fifty million dollars??!!! Even in today’s inflated economy, that is one hell of a lot of defamation.

I do not question the court’s verdict in favor of the two plaintiffs. Nor do I question the plaintiffs’ claims of permanent damage done to their reputations and psyches by Mr. Giuliani’s actions. But I have to wonder how the court came up with that $150 million figure? I mean . . . even if neither of the women can hold a job for the rest of their natural lives, how much do they need to make them comfortable and happy for those years?

And frankly, that much money in my possession would just make my life more stressful . . . not less. It’s too much responsibility.

Now, while liquidating assets to pay off a judgment is not an uncommon practice, I have a couple of questions about the items listed. First, the New York penthouse. Is that his only New York residence? If so, shouldn’t he be able to hold onto enough of the proceeds to secure another, more modest apartment for himself? Are they kicking him out onto the street? Or is he sentenced to move in with the Trumps as part of his punishment? To me, that would be far worse than losing Lauren Bacall’s Mercedes.

And that TV. Come on now! The man’s not going to have much else to do other than watch an endless string of Hallmark Christmas movies and the election results. Plus, of course, Trump’s declaration of victory, whether he wins or not. Give the guy a little something to live for, can’t you?

And the furniture. Are we talking about all of it? Maybe he has valuable antique pieces, but at least leave the guy a bed where he can cry himself to sleep at night, and a chair to flop onto to watch . . . oh, wait. He won’t have a TV. Never mind the chair.

Seriously, I’m sure there is some sort of reasoning behind the court’s ruling. I just wonder if, in meting out justice, this one might have simply forgotten where to stop.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/23/24