Rudy Giuliani, former personal attorney to former US President Donald Trump, must pay a judgment for legal fees of $148 million to a company involved in a failed business venture, according to an order by a federal judge in New York.
The judgment was issued in January 2019, but Giuliani’s attorneys argued that the court should delay until after the former mayor’s criminal trials were over. Judge Lorna G. Schofield, however, rejected their request and ruled that Giuliani must make the payment “without delay”.
The judgment arose from a dispute with the since-dissolved company, Global Baristas LLC, which was behind the Seattle-based startup chain, “Trump Coffee”. Giuliani had served as legal counsel for the venture but failed to pay Global Baristas for services rendered, leading the company to sue the former mayor in federal court. Global Baristas won its case and was awarded damages in the amount of $148 million.
Giuliani is also facing criminal charges for alleged campaign finance violations stemming from his involvement in the Trump-Ukraine scandal. Despite this, the judge’s order states that the ex-mayor must immediately pay the judgment and that the payment “will have no effect on Giuliani’s pending criminal trial.”
Giuliani’s attorneys have stated that they are considering their options and that they may appeal the judge’s ruling. Until the payment is made, Global Baristas is free to file a lien against Giuliani’s assets and collect on the judgment.
