Rudy Giuliani admitted to owing his ex-wife money — but called her lawsuit claiming he’s withholding $260,000 a “gross exaggeration” during a hearing in Manhattan court Thursday.
Judith Giuliani, 67, had asked a judge last month to hold her 78-year-old ex-husband in contempt and toss him behind bars for allegedly falling behind on $262,000 owed under the terms of their 2019 divorce settlement.
“I do owe her money but I don’t owe her $260,000,” the former New York City mayor told the judge in Manhattan Supreme Court, where he appeared without a lawyer, choosing to represent himself instead.
“That’s a gross exaggeration,” he added, “I owe her $50,000.”
The one-time personal attorney to former President Donald Trump also called media coverage of Judith’s recent accusations, “pretty devastating … when we have a non-disparagement clause.”
He argued that his ex should be the one held in contempt — not him — for allegedly violating the terms of their settlement.
Earlier, Supreme Court Justice Michael Katz told Rudy that he’s technically in default for not having filed papers in response to Judith’s allegations.
The embattled Giuliani admitted to the legal blunder saying: “I’m being sued in ten different cases. I’m getting ready for two massive hearings.”
“It’s totally my fault,” he said. “I don’t know how to emphasize to you the pressures …”
Judith’s lawyer Dror Bikel told the judge, “My client has no income right now. If [Rudy] could write a check to her today …”
“That certainly would show good faith,” Katz chimed in, adding that the next court date would be on Sept. 23 — if the warring exes, who divorced in 2019, don’t settle before then.
Bikel also said Rudy should have to pay part of Judith’s legal bills for the cost of bringing the new claims against him.
“I hope we will be able to settle this,” Rudy said. “I have the checks. I have paid her $150,000. l have those checks.”
“I’m willing to pay the $45,000 right now,” he continued, though it wasn’t clear if he in fact paid the money Thursday.
The former couple, who were married for more than a decade, squabbled in the hallway outside the courtroom following the hearing, arguing in partially inaudible intonations about the dollar amount that was owed — with each saying they would show the other side their checks.
“You show it to me. If I owe it, I’ll pay it,” Rudy could be heard saying.
At one point his ex suggested he “take out a second equity loan on the apartment” to which he shot back, “I can’t…”
Their hushed bickering culminated with Rudy exclaiming, “That’s bulls–t! … You lied about it for nine years!”
“You tortured my children!” he added, as Judith stormed off.
Judith then told reporters, “I’m not going to stand here and let him tell lies about me.”
Her attorney cut in telling the press, “We are going to try to resolve it without further legal proceedings but if we have to continue to litigate it than we will. She is going to get every penny she is owed.”
Judith filed for divorce in 2018 after a 15-year marriage. The pair bitterly fought in court over their fortune which was estimated to be $30 million.
Since then, Rudy has faced a slew of legal issues, including being sued by the art appraisal firm he used during the divorce which claimed he owed them at least $15,000. That suit was withdrawn with a lawyer for the company saying Giuliani never responded to the case.
Giuliani’s law license has also been suspended in New York and in Washington DC while he faces election-related ethic charges. He’s also been sued by Dominion Voting Systems for $1.3 billion over his claims that the company rigged the 2020 presidential election.