The legal saga between former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his former political advisor Michael Cohen has taken a new twist with a federal judge ruling that Giuliani must pay a $148 million judgment against him for violating ethics laws.
It was reported that in July of 2020, a New York federal judge found Giuliani liable for violating a state law which bars public servants from using their office to benefit themselves financially. The judge ruled that Giuliani had taken advantage of Cohen to make money.
Giuliani was hired by Cohen as part of his effort to obtain favorable treatment from the Trump administration on Cohen’s behalf. In exchange, Giuliani was supposed to be paid $10 million, but no payment was ever made. After his services, Giuliani failed to disclose his contract with Cohen and the subsequent payments as required by the state’s ethics laws.
The judge found that Giuliani acted in a manner that was reckless and careless, and ordered him to pay the judgment of $148 million, which includes the unpaid fees, plus damages and attorneys’ fees. The judgment is one of the largest in the history of ethics cases in New York.
In addition to the hefty financial penalties, the judge also barred Giuliani from serving as an advisor again in any New York state or federal appointment.
The ruling is the latest blow to Giuliani, whose fortunes have been in stark decline since his tenure under President Donald Trump. After spending months spearheading Trump’s attempt to challenge the 2020 election results, Giuliani has been publicly mocked and criticized, as well as the subject of criminal investigations.
Giuliani has not yet commented on the judgment, but it appears he may appeal the ruling and take the matter to higher courts. In the meantime, the judge has ordered the former mayor to begin paying the judgment immediately.