A judge presiding over Rudy Giuliani’s damages trial penalized the lawyer Friday for his “continued and flagrant” disregard of court order.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell said the decision means jurors will be told that Giuliani intentionally hid financial documents and other records in defiance of court orders.
“Giuliani’s continued and flagrant disregard of this Court’s August 30 Order that he produce financial-related documents concerning his personal and his businesses’ past and present assets, revenues, income, viewership metrics, and social media, all of which information is potentially pertinent at the upcoming damages trial,” Howell wrote.
Howell ruled in August that Giuliani is legally liable for defaming Georgia election workers in attempts to further false claims that former President Trump won the 2020 election.
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In his release Friday, Howell said Giuliani, “consistent with his prior track record,” has failed to file any response to the submission of materials, despite the Sept. 22 deadline to do so.
Since the former New York City mayor failed to comply with the order or file an opposition, Howell ruled that the jury must infer that Giuliani was intentionally trying to hide information about his businesses and social media when determining the “appropriate sum” of damages.
The judge also said the jury will be instructed to infer that Giuliani received “substantial benefits” for defaming the election workers and that the Giuliani businesses “continue to generate” revenue from their operations.
The order makes it clear that Giuliani and his counsel will not be able to make an argument or introduce any evidence related to his financial benefits. He also will not be able to state or suggest that he is “insolvent, bankrupt, judgment proof, or otherwise unable to defend himself, comply with this Court’s orders, or satisfy and eventual judgement.”
The five-page ruling was released Friday, ahead of the scheduled Dec. 11 trial.