In a pivotal court hearing, US bankruptcy judge Sean Lane signaled a likely end to Rudy Giuliani’s bankruptcy protection, setting the stage for a cascade of legal actions against the embattled former mayor. Giuliani, facing mounting accusations of sexual harassment, defamation, and electoral malfeasance, could soon be stripped of his shield against creditors.
The decision comes amidst Giuliani’s desperate attempts to evade a $148 million defamation judgment for baselessly accusing Georgia election workers of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the victims of Giuliani’s falsehoods, have endured immense personal and professional damage, amplifying the urgency of their pursuit for justice.
Giuliani’s bankruptcy filing had halted their efforts to collect damages, effectively shielding him from accountability while stalling multiple lawsuits stemming from his role in attempting to overturn the election results. Now, with the bankruptcy likely to be dismissed, Freeman, Moss, and other claimants—including Noelle Dunphy, who alleges sexual assault and wage theft—stand poised to pursue their claims aggressively.
“The debtor’s bankruptcy has served as a temporary reprieve from the consequences of his actions,” remarked Rachel Strickland, representing Moss and Freeman, emphasizing the toll Giuliani’s lies have exacted on her clients’ lives.
Giuliani “regards this court as a pause button on his woes while he continues to live his life unbothered by creditors”, Strickland told Judge Lane.
Moreover, the prospect of a trustee assuming control of Giuliani’s finances looms large, potentially igniting a protracted battle over liquidation that could further destabilize his already precarious legal position. With Giuliani’s defense strategy increasingly strained, the court’s decision represents a pivotal juncture where Giuliani’s past deeds may come back to haunt him in courts across the nation.
As Giuliani faces both civil lawsuits and criminal charges in multiple states, the imminent dismissal of his bankruptcy proceedings marks a potentially devastating turning point, where legal accountability may no longer be deferred.
