Politics
Giuliani in epic tailspin as legal woes, lawyer bills pile up
By CM Chaney · September 30, 2023
In brief…
- Rudy Giuliani's costly legal woes continue to mount.
- The former NYC mayor faces racketeering charges and a disbarment recommendation.
- Giuliani was also held liable for defaming Georgia election workers.
- Reports indicate the one-time presidential candidate is struggling to pay his legal bills and comply with court orders.
- Sources say Giuliani owes roughly $3 million to various law firms.
Rudy Giuliani, one of the highest-profile defendants in the Fulton County, Georgia election-fraud prosecution, is facing mounting legal woes and attorney bills as he struggles to mount his courtroom defense.
In recent months, the former New York City Mayor and U.S. Attorney was held civilly liable for making false statements against two Fulton County election workers, recommended for disbarment, and criminally charged with racketeering for aiding former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, according to The New York Times.
Giuliani gained fame as America’s Mayor for his leadership in the devastating aftermath of 9/11. More recently, he promoted claims of election fraud following the 2020 presidential vote. He also alleged workers at State Farm Arena in Fulton County added illegal ballots to the vote count. State and federal investigators later determined this claim to be false.
Giuliani continued to accuse election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss of fraud even after his claim had been dismissed. Freeman and Moss later sued Giuliani for defamation. The judge in the defamation case is weighing further sanctions against Giuliani for repeatedly disregarding court orders.
Last week, one of Giuliani’s attorneys sued him for nearly $1.4 million in unpaid legal bills.
In July, Trump held a fundraiser to help Giuliani pay his legal bills. Giuliani owes roughly $3 million to various law firms, according to reports. He also faces other potential lawsuits related to his election-fraud claims.
The Fulton County indictment cites Giuliani’s his attempts to pressure Georgia lawmakers to overturn the election and his false claims over so-called “fake” elector slates. Giuliani said he did nothing illegal.
These mounting court actions require costly legal representation, which Giuliani seems increasingly unable to afford.
“It’s very hard to defend yourself in a legal matter,” defense attorney Kim Frye told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “If he’s being sued for not paying his legal bills, he’s got more problems.”