Rudy Giuliani’s legal team has disclosed that he may be suffering from a “possible” 9/11-related lung disease as they appealed to a bankruptcy judge not to allow another party to assume control of his finances.
The former mayor, renowned for his leadership during the September 11, 2001, attacks, is reportedly facing health challenges potentially linked to his service at Ground Zero. However, specific details regarding his condition were not provided in court documents filed on Monday.
Giuliani, aged 80, finds himself in financial turmoil after losing a defamation lawsuit, resulting in a staggering $148 million in damages owed to two Georgia election workers he falsely accused of voter fraud. Following this legal blow, he filed for bankruptcy last December.
Creditors, frustrated with Giuliani’s handling of his financial obligations, are pushing for the appointment of a trustee to oversee his affairs and recoup some of the owed funds. However, Giuliani’s lawyers argue that such an intervention won’t bolster his income or compel an 80-year-old to work harder.
Despite his disbarment and dwindling wealth, Giuliani still earns from personal services like speaking engagements and his podcast, “America’s Mayor Live,” in addition to Social Security benefits and retirement savings.
While creditors insist Giuliani should seek employment to address his debts, his financial situation has been on a downward spiral, exacerbated by his costly divorce in 2019 and imprudent spending decisions.
Giuliani’s advisers dismiss the creditors’ claims of financial mismanagement, attributing the legal challenges to attempts to stifle his voice and tarnish his reputation.
Meanwhile, the creditors argue that Giuliani has made minimal efforts to address his financial obligations, accusing him of withholding information, failing to meet deadlines, and engaging in questionable financial transactions.
