Major Controversies Surrounding Rudy Giuliani: A Detailed Timeline
Public opinion and media debates around Rudy Giuliani—discover key moments of controversy.
Rudy Giuliani is an American politician and disbarred lawyer notable for his tenure as the 107th Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001. Prior to his mayoral role, he held positions as the United States Associate Attorney General (1981-1983) and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (1983-1989).
1920: Historical Reference in threat to Moss.
After Giuliani's remarks, Moss testified before the U.S. House of Representatives that she and her family were subjected to a barrage of racist threats, including "Be glad it's 2020 and not 1920," in reference to lynching in the United States.
1982: Testified on Haitian Asylum Seekers
In 1982, Rudy Giuliani testified in defense of the federal government's "detention posture" regarding the internment of Haitian asylum seekers.
1986: Five Families Voted on Giuliani's Death
In late 1986, leaders of the Five Families voted on whether to issue a contract for Rudy Giuliani's death.
February 1987: Arrest of Richard Wigton
In February 1987, Rudy Giuliani had officers handcuff Richard Wigton, of Kidder, Peabody & Co., and march him through the company's trading floor on insider trading charges, which were later dropped.
January 1989: Resignation as U.S. Attorney
In January 1989, Rudy Giuliani resigned as U.S. Attorney as the Reagan administration ended. He faced criticism for his handling of cases and accusations of pursuing political ambitions through prosecutions.
1992: MEK Attempted Attack on Iranian Mission
In 1992, the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) attempted to attack the Iranian mission to the United Nations.
1994: Sicilian Mafia Offered Contract for Giuliani's Death
According to Rudy Giuliani, the Sicilian Mafia offered $800,000 for his death during his first year as mayor of New York in 1994.
1994: Study of Radios Indicates Faulty
In 1994, a mayoral office study of the radios indicated that they were faulty.
1994: Civic Cleanup Begins
In 1994, under Rudy Giuliani's leadership, New York City began a controversial "civic cleanup" initiative that lasted until 2001.
February 1996: Memo on Building Security
In February 1996, a memo read, 'The [Brooklyn] building is secure and not as visible a target as buildings in Lower Manhattan.'
May 1997: Responsibility Placed on Jerome M. Hauer
In May 1997, Rudy Giuliani placed the responsibility for selecting the location of the Office of Emergency Management headquarters on Jerome M. Hauer.
1997: MEK on State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations
In 1997, the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) was placed on the United States State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
1998: Police Department's Opposition
In 1998, the New York City Police Department expressed opposition to the location of the city's emergency command center at the Trade Center site.
May 1999: Meeting Judith Nathan
In May 1999, while still married to Donna Hanover, Rudy Giuliani met Judith Nathan at a cigar bar. This encounter marked the beginning of their relationship, which would later become a significant part of Giuliani's personal life.
March 2000: Dorismond Shooting Inflames Relations
In March 2000, the NYPD's fatal shooting of Patrick Dorismond strained Rudy Giuliani's relations with minority communities, becoming a major campaign issue for Hillary Clinton.
May 10, 2000: Announcement of Separation from Hanover
On May 10, 2000, Rudy Giuliani held a press conference to announce his intention to separate from Donna Hanover. This announcement was made without informing Hanover beforehand, drawing criticism.
May 2000: News Breaks of Giuliani's Relationship
In early May 2000, The Daily News and the New York Post broke the news of Rudy Giuliani's relationship with Judith Nathan. This marked a turning point as the relationship became a subject of public discussion.
March 2001: Radios Recalled
In March 2001, replacement radios were recalled after a probationary firefighter's calls for help at a house fire could not be picked up by others at the scene, leaving firemen with the old analog radios from 1993.
May 2001: Attorney Reveals Impotence Due to Cancer Treatment
In May 2001, Giuliani's attorney revealed that Giuliani was impotent due to prostate cancer treatments and had not had sex with Judith Nathan for the preceding year.
October 2001: Study on Protective Gear
In October 2001, a study by the National Institute of Environmental Safety and Health said cleanup workers lacked adequate protective gear.
July 2002: Divorce Settlement with Hanover
In July 2002, after his mayoralty ended, Giuliani and Hanover finalized their divorce, with Giuliani paying Hanover a $6.8 million settlement and granting her custody of their children.
2002: Omission of the Los Angeles International Airport Shooting and the D.C. sniper attacks
In 2002, the Los Angeles International Airport shooting and the D.C. sniper attacks happened. This fact contradicts Giuliani's claim that there were no successful radical Islamic terrorist attacks in the U.S. in the eight years before Obama.
2006: Giuliani Acts as Lead Counsel for Purdue Pharma
In 2006, Rudy Giuliani acted as the lead counsel and lead spokesman for Bracewell & Giuliani client Purdue Pharma during their negotiations with federal prosecutors over charges that the pharmaceutical company misled the public about OxyContin's addictive properties. The agreement reached resulted in Purdue Pharma and some of its executives paying $634.5 million in fines.
2006: Omission of the Seattle Jewish Federation Shooting and UNC SUV Attack
In 2006, the Seattle Jewish Federation shooting and the UNC SUV attack happened. This fact contradicts Giuliani's claim that there were no successful radical Islamic terrorist attacks in the U.S. in the eight years before Obama.
February 2007: Fire Fighters accuse Giuliani of prematurely ending WTC recovery effort
In February 2007, the International Association of Fire Fighters accused Rudy Giuliani of rushing the World Trade Center recovery to recover gold and silver, which they allege prevented the recovery of victims' remains and resulted in remains being disposed of at Fresh Kills Landfill.
May 13, 2007: Giuliani Interviewed by Chris Wallace
On May 13, 2007, television journalist Chris Wallace interviewed Rudy Giuliani about his 1997 decision to locate the command center at the World Trade Center.
June 2007: Whitman claims Giuliani blocked respirator use at WTC site
In June 2007, Christie Todd Whitman, former EPA director, alleged that Rudy Giuliani blocked the EPA's efforts to ensure World Trade Center workers wore respirators, which she believes led to lung disease and fatalities. Giuliani's campaign refuted this, stating workers were repeatedly instructed to wear respirators.
2007: Giuliani Campaign Faces Difficulties
During the last two months of 2007, Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign faced challenges due to Bernard Kerik's indictment, scrutiny of Giuliani's mayoral expenses, and concerns about his firm's clients' alignment with American foreign policy goals, leading to a decline in poll numbers.
January 2008: Memo on Police Department's Opposition Revealed
In January 2008, an eight-page memo detailing the New York City Police Department's opposition in 1998 to the location of the city's emergency command center at the Trade Center site was revealed.
April 2009: Giuliani Opposes Same-Sex Marriage
In April 2009, Rudy Giuliani strongly opposed Governor Paterson's push for same-sex marriage in New York, predicting a potential Republican resurgence due to backlash.
September 2012: MEK removed from United States State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations
In September 2012, the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) was removed from the United States State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
2012: Criticism for Advising People Allied with Slobodan Milošević
In 2012, Rudy Giuliani faced criticism for advising people once allied with Slobodan Milošević who had lauded Serbian war criminals.
February 2015: Giuliani's Controversial Remarks About Obama
In February 2015, at a Republican fund-raising event, Rudy Giuliani said he did not believe President Obama loved America, sparking controversy and resulting in death threats.
June 9, 2016: Trump Tower Meeting Purpose
In late August, Rudy Giuliani said the June 9, 2016, Trump Tower "meeting was originally for the purpose of getting information about Hillary Clinton".
August 2016: Giuliani's Claim About Terrorist Attacks Before Obama
In August 2016, while campaigning for Trump, Rudy Giuliani claimed there were no successful radical Islamic terrorist attacks in the U.S. in the eight years before Obama, which was fact-checked and found to be untrue.
2017: Giuliani Urged Extradition of Fethullah Gullen
In 2017 Rudy Giuliani privately urged Trump to extradite Fethullah Gullen.
2017: Justice Department Characterizes Firtash as Organized Crime Associate
In 2017, the Justice Department characterized Dmytry Firtash as an "upper echelon (associate) of Russian organized crime".
April 4, 2018: Nathan Files for Divorce
On April 4, 2018, Judith Nathan filed for divorce from Rudy Giuliani after 15 years of marriage, citing that "he has become a different man."
May 2018: Giuliani on Spygate Conspiracy Theory
In May 2018, Rudy Giuliani discussed the Spygate conspiracy theory, suggesting it was being promoted to discredit the special counsel investigation and influence public opinion on Trump's impeachment.
June 2018: Giuliani on Trump Testifying
In June 2018, Rudy Giuliani said that Donald Trump should not testify to the special counsel investigation because "our recollection keeps changing".
June 2018: Giuliani States President Cannot Be Indicted
In June 2018, Rudy Giuliani stated that a sitting president cannot be indicted, suggesting impeachment as the appropriate course of action even if Trump shot James Comey.
August 2018: Giuliani Retained to Lobby for Romania
In August 2018, Rudy Giuliani was retained by Freeh Group International Solutions to lobby Romanian president Klaus Iohannis to change Romania's anti-corruption policy and reduce the role of the National Anticorruption Directorate.
October 2018: Charles Gucciardo paid Giuliani on behalf of Fraud Guarantee
In October 2018, Republican donor and Trump supporter Long Island attorney Charles Gucciardo paid Rudy Giuliani $250,000 on behalf of Fraud Guarantee.
May 2019: Giuliani Praises Ukrainian Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko
In May 2019, Rudy Giuliani described Ukraine's chief prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko as a "much more honest guy" than his predecessor.
May 2019: Giuliani Urges Ukraine to Investigate Burisma and Biden
Since at least May 2019, Rudy Giuliani urged Ukraine's president to investigate Burisma and Hunter Biden, claiming it would benefit his client's defense and had Trump's support.
July 2019: Report on Giuliani's Liaisons with Ukrainian Officials
In July 2019, Buzzfeed News reported that Soviet-born Americans Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman were liaisons between Rudy Giuliani and Ukrainian government officials in his efforts to investigate Burisma and the Bidens.
July 2019: Firtash Hires diGenova and Toensing
In July 2019, Dmytry Firtash hired Joseph diGenova and Victoria Toensing, who are associates of Trump and Giuliani, on Parnas's recommendation.
August 2019: Giuliani's Phone Calls Examined
Phone records showed that Rudy Giuliani made numerous phone calls in August 2019 with various individuals, including Kurt Volker, Devin Nunes, Lev Parnas, numbers associated with the Office of Management and Budget and the White House switchboard, and an unidentified White House official.
September 2019: No Clear Evidence of Wrongdoing by the Bidens
By September 2019, despite Giuliani's urging, there was no clear evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens in Ukraine.
September 2019: Giuliani Confirms Seeking Investigation into Biden
In September 2019, Rudy Giuliani, while discussing reports of a whistleblower alleging misconduct related to Ukraine, initially denied seeking an investigation into Joe Biden from Ukrainian officials, but then admitted, "Of course I did." He also appeared to confirm reports that President Trump withheld military assistance to Ukraine pending such an investigation.
September 2019: Lutsenko Finds No Evidence of Wrongdoing by the Bidens
In September 2019, after being removed from office, Yuriy Lutsenko said that he found no evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens, and that he had met Rudy Giuliani about ten times.
September 2019: Firtash's Attorneys Obtain Statement From Shokin
In September 2019, attorneys for Dmytry Firtash obtained a statement from Viktor Shokin, the former Ukrainian prosecutor general, asserting that Joe Biden had him fired for not ceasing his investigation into Burisma. Rudy Giuliani promoted this statement, although he claims to have no connection to Firtash.
September 30, 2019: House Committee Subpoenas Giuliani
On September 30, 2019, the House Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena to Rudy Giuliani, requesting documents related to the Ukraine scandal be submitted by October 15, 2019.
October 1, 2019: Giuliani Hires Jon Sale for Impeachment Inquiry
On October 1, 2019, Rudy Giuliani hired Jon Sale to represent him in the House Intelligence Committee's impeachment investigation related to the Ukraine scandal.
October 2, 2019: Giuliani Acknowledges Passing Packet to Pompeo
On October 2, 2019, Rudy Giuliani acknowledged that he passed a packet of information regarding Ukraine and attacks on Marie Yovanovitch to Secretary of State Pompeo.
October 9, 2019: Arrest of Parnas and Fruman
On October 9, 2019, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were liaisons between Giuliani and Ukrainian officials, were arrested for campaign finance violations.
October 11, 2019: Investigation into Giuliani's Ukraine Activities
On October 11, 2019, it was reported that the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York was investigating Rudy Giuliani for violating lobbying laws related to his activities in Ukraine.
October 15, 2019: Deadline for Giuliani to Release Ukraine Documents
October 15, 2019, was the deadline set by the House Intelligence Committee for Rudy Giuliani to release documents pertaining to the Ukraine scandal.
November 2019: Giuliani Confirms He Wanted Yovanovitch Removed
In November 2019, Rudy Giuliani confirmed that he "needed Yovanovitch out of the way" because she was hindering his investigations, admitting he persuaded Trump to remove her from office.
November 2019: Giuliani Directed Parnas to Approach Firtash
In November 2019, The New York Times reported that Rudy Giuliani had directed Parnas to approach Firtash, proposing that Firtash could help provide damaging information on Biden.
November 2019: Beginning of Unpaid Legal Bills
Starting in November 2019, Rudy Giuliani began accumulating unpaid legal bills with the firm Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, eventually leading to a lawsuit in September 2023 for over $1.3 million.
November 22, 2019: Giuliani Sends Letter to Senator Graham
On November 22, 2019, Rudy Giuliani sent a letter to Senator Lindsey Graham, claiming to have evidence from Ukrainian witnesses about Democratic conspiracy and Biden family crimes, seeking help to obtain U.S. visas for the witnesses to testify.
December 3, 2019: House Intelligence Committee Report Includes Giuliani's Phone Records
On December 3, 2019, the House Intelligence Committee's report included phone records acquired via subpoenas, including numerous phone calls made by Rudy Giuliani between April and August 2019 with various individuals.
December 2019: Giuliani Met with Derkach
In December 2019, Rudy Giuliani met with Andrii Derkach, a Ukrainian politician later identified as a proxy of Russian intelligence who promoted misleading narratives about Joe Biden.
December 2019: Giuliani Returns to Ukraine for Documentary
In December 2019, Rudy Giuliani returned to Ukraine to interview former Ukrainian officials for a documentary series aimed at discrediting the impeachment proceedings against President Trump.
2019: Giuliani pressured Ukraine to investigate Biden.
In 2019, Rudy Giuliani relentlessly pressured the Ukrainian government to investigate baseless conspiracies about then-candidate Joe Biden.
2019: Involved in Trump-Ukraine Scandal
In 2019, Rudy Giuliani was a central figure in the Trump-Ukraine scandal.
2019: Giuliani Represents Alejandro Betancourt
In late 2019, Rudy Giuliani represented Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt, meeting with the Justice Department to ask not to bring charges against him.
2019: SDNY Investigates Giuliani's Activities
In late 2019, it was reported that SDNY investigators were investigating Rudy Giuliani's activities.
2019: SDNY Obtains Search Warrants for Giuliani's iCloud Account
In late 2019, the SDNY obtained search warrants for Rudy Giuliani's iCloud account, as part of "an ongoing, multi-year grand jury investigation."
2019: Giuliani's Actions Central to Trump Impeachment Inquiry
Throughout 2019, Rudy Giuliani's actions concerning Ukraine became central to the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump. His name was frequently mentioned in testimonies and reports, leading some experts to suggest he may have violated the Logan Act.
October 31, 2020: Giuliani Casts Provisional Ballot
On October 31, 2020, Rudy Giuliani cast a provisional ballot in Manhattan, despite repeatedly denouncing the use of provisional ballots and claiming they enable fraud.
November 2020: Giuliani Leads Lawsuits Challenging 2020 Election Results
In November 2020, Trump put Giuliani in charge of lawsuits alleging voter irregularities in the 2020 United States presidential election. He led a legal team that made false assertions about an international Communist conspiracy, rigged voting machines, and polling place fraud.
November 17, 2020: Giuliani's First Day in Court Challenging Election Results
On November 17, 2020, Giuliani appeared in court representing Trump's campaign in Pennsylvania, misrepresenting his bar status and struggling with legal processes. He was accused of making "disgraceful" legal arguments.
November 21, 2020: Giuliani's Lawsuit in Pennsylvania Dismissed
On November 21, 2020, Giuliani's federal lawsuit against Pennsylvania was dismissed with prejudice. The judge cited "strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations" which were "unsupported by evidence".
December 2020: False Testimony to Georgia Lawmakers
In December 2020, Rudy Giuliani gave false testimony to Georgia lawmakers about election fraud, which was later listed in the August 14, 2023 indictment against him.
December 2020: SDNY Investigates Giuliani's Activities
In December 2020, it was reported that SDNY investigators had discussed with Justice Department officials the possibility of acquiring Rudy Giuliani's emails, which might require headquarters approval due to attorney–client privilege.
2020: Seven-Figure Legal Fees Incurred in Cases Related to Donald Trump
By 2023, Rudy Giuliani had reportedly incurred seven-figure legal fees in cases related to Donald Trump and the attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
2020: Biden Refers to Giuliani as a "Russian Pawn"
During a 2020 presidential debate, Joe Biden referred to Rudy Giuliani as a "Russian pawn," which led to Giuliani filing a defamation lawsuit in October 2023. This lawsuit was later dismissed.
2020: Represented Trump in Election Lawsuits
Following the 2020 election, Rudy Giuliani represented Donald Trump in lawsuits attempting to overturn the results, making false claims about election fraud.
2020: Freeman and Moss sued Giuliani again.
In 2020, Freeman and Moss sued Giuliani again, seeking an injunction to permanently prohibit him from defaming them. They later agreed to drop this lawsuit in exchange for Giuliani's promise never again to state, imply, or assist others' remarks that they "engaged in wrongdoing in connection with the 2020 presidential election".
2020: Racial Threats to Freeman and Moss after Giuliani's remarks.
In 2020, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea' ArShaye Moss were subjected to a barrage of racist threats after Giuliani's remarks.
2020: Giuliani's Efforts to Subvert 2020 Election
In 2020, Rudy Giuliani engaged in efforts to subvert the election, which on July 2, 2024 led to his disbarment by a New York state appeals court.
2020: Involvement in 2020 Election Controversy
In 2020, Rudy Giuliani was involved in events related to the election in Arizona that led to later indictments in April 2024. These events include his involvement in contesting the election results.
2020: Giuliani's Actions in 2020 Presidential Election in Pennsylvania
In 2020, Rudy Giuliani was involved in making claims regarding the presidential election in Pennsylvania. These actions were considered to contain baseless claims in favor of Trump, and led to charges being filed against him in June 10, 2022.
2020: Actions Related to 2020 Election
In 2020, Rudy Giuliani's actions related to the United States presidential election were investigated, ultimately leading to the suspension of his law license in New York and Washington, D.C. in 2021.
2020: Actions related to 2020 Election results in Pennsylvania
In 2020, Rudy Giuliani's actions to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Pennsylvania led to the recommendation for his disbarment.
2020: Investigation into Ukrainian Officials Meddling in 2020 Election
In 2020, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn investigated whether Ukrainian officials helped orchestrate a wide-ranging plan to meddle in the 2020 presidential campaign, including using Rudolph W. Giuliani to spread their misleading claims about President Biden.
2020: Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election
On August 1, 2023, the Justice Department's special counsel investigating Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election charged Trump with four criminal counts related to those efforts.
January 6, 2021: Giuliani Speaks at 'Save America March' Rally
On January 6, 2021, Giuliani spoke at the "Save America March" rally, repeating conspiracy theories and calling for "trial by combat" before Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
January 8, 2021: Trump and Team Lost 63 Lawsuits; Giuliani Seeks Payment and Pardon
By January 8, 2021, Trump and his team had lost 63 lawsuits. Giuliani's associate requested $2.5 million and a pardon for him.
January 11, 2021: District of Columbia Attorney General Considers Charging Giuliani with Incitement
On January 11, 2021, District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine said that he is looking at whether to charge Giuliani, along with Donald Trump Jr. and Representative Mo Brooks, with inciting the violent attack on January 6.
January 2021: Dominion Sues Giuliani for Defamation
In January 2021, Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation lawsuit against Giuliani for his election-related lies.
January 29, 2021: Giuliani Falsely Accuses The Lincoln Project of Role in Capitol Riot
On January 29, 2021, Giuliani falsely claimed that The Lincoln Project played a role in the organization of the Capitol riot, leading to a threatened defamation lawsuit.
February 4, 2021: Smartmatic Sues Giuliani, Fox News, and Powell
On February 4, 2021, Smartmatic sued Giuliani, Fox News, some of its hosts, and Powell, accusing them of a disinformation campaign and seeking $2.7 billion in damages.
February 2021: SDNY Requests Search Warrant of Giuliani's Electronic Records
In February 2021, The New York Times reported that the SDNY had requested a search warrant of Rudy Giuliani's electronic records in summer 2020, but were met with resistance from high-level political appointees in the Washington headquarters.
February 2021: SDNY Scrutinizes Giuliani's Association with Firtash
In February 2021, The New York Times reported that the SDNY was scrutinizing Rudy Giuliani's association with Firtash in efforts to discredit the Bidens, and efforts to lobby the Trump administration on behalf of Ukrainian officials and oligarchs.
March 5, 2021: Swalwell Files Civil Lawsuit Against Giuliani for Inciting Capitol Riot
On March 5, 2021, Representative Eric Swalwell filed a civil lawsuit against Giuliani and others, seeking damages for their alleged role in inciting the Capitol riot.
March 2021: Intelligence Analysis Finds Derkach Promoted Misleading Narratives About Biden
In March 2021, a United States intelligence community analysis found that Ukrainian politician Andrii Derkach was among proxies of Russian intelligence who promoted and laundered misleading or unsubstantiated narratives about Biden to US media organizations, US officials, and prominent US individuals.
April 2021: Investigation into Giuliani's Role in Yovanovitch's Removal
By April 2021, the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan was investigating the role of Rudy Giuliani and his associates in the removal of Marie Yovanovitch.
April 2021: SDNY Investigates Derkach and Artemenko
In April 2021, Forensic News reported that the SDNY investigation into Rudy Giuliani had expanded to include a criminal probe of Andrii Derkach and Andrii Artemenko.
April 2021: Giuliani's Attorney Claims Illegal iCloud Search
In April 2021, Rudy Giuliani's attorney claimed investigators told him they had searched his client's iCloud account beginning in late 2019, arguing the subsequent raid was "fruit of this poisoned tree."
April 28, 2021: Search Warrants Executed at Giuliani's Properties
On the early morning of April 28, 2021, federal investigators executed search warrants at Rudy Giuliani's office and Upper East Side apartment, seizing electronic devices and searching the apartment.
May 2021: Investigators Question Witnesses About Giuliani's Association with Firtash
In May 2021, Time reported that investigators were particularly interested in Rudy Giuliani's association with Dmytry Firtash, according to witnesses they interviewed.
May 2021: SDNY Confirms Search Warrants for Giuliani's iCloud Account
In May 2021, the SDNY confirmed in a court filing that in late 2019 it obtained search warrants for Rudy Giuliani's iCloud account, as part of "an ongoing, multi-year grand jury investigation."
June 24, 2021: Giuliani's Law License Suspended in New York
On June 24, 2021, a New York appellate court suspended Rudy Giuliani's law license after finding "uncontroverted" evidence that he made false statements to courts, lawmakers, and the public regarding the 2020 election.
July 7, 2021: Giuliani's Law License Suspended in Washington, D.C.
On July 7, 2021, Rudy Giuliani's law license was also suspended in Washington, D.C., following the suspension of his license in New York due to false statements made regarding the 2020 election.
July 2021: Trump Didn't Give Giuliani Money
As of the end of July 2021, Trump had not given any of the money he fundraised for election-related legal fights to Giuliani.
September 10, 2021: Giuliani Banned from Fox News
On September 10, 2021, Fox News informed Giuliani that neither he nor his son Andrew would be permitted on the network for nearly three months.
September 2021: Fruman Pleads Guilty to Soliciting Foreign Contribution
In September 2021, Igor Fruman pled guilty to having solicited a contribution by a foreign national.
October 2021: Trump Remarks on Paying Lawyers
In October 2021, Trump remarked, "I do pay my lawyers when they do a good job."
December 2021: Georgia Election Workers Sue Giuliani for Defamation
In December 2021, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea' ArShaye Moss sued Giuliani for defamation in DC, after he falsely accused them of manipulating vote tallies.
January 2022: Subpoena from the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack
In January 2022, Giuliani received a subpoena from the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack.
January 2022: Special Master Releases Giuliani's Communications to Prosecutors
In January 2022, the special master released more than 3,000 of Rudy Giuliani's communications to prosecutors, withholding forty messages for which Giuliani had asserted "privilege and/or highly personal" status and rejecting 37 such assertions.
March 2022: Smartmatic's Defamation Suit Against Giuliani Proceeds
In March 2022, a New York State Supreme Court judge ruled that Smartmatic's defamation suit against Giuliani could proceed.
May 20, 2022: Giuliani Testifies Before House Select Committee on January 6 Attack
Responding to a January 2022 subpoena, Giuliani testified before the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack on May 20, 2022.
June 10, 2022: Ethics Charges Filed Against Giuliani by DC Bar
On June 10, 2022, the DC Bar's Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed charges against Rudy Giuliani with the DC Court of Appeals' Board on Professional Responsibility. The ethics charges concerned Giuliani's federal court filings regarding the 2020 presidential election in Pennsylvania, alleging that he made baseless claims in favor of Trump.
June 27, 2022: Giuliani Allegedly Assaulted at Campaign Event
On June 27, 2022, Rudy Giuliani was allegedly assaulted at a ShopRite supermarket in Staten Island while campaigning for his son Andrew. A supermarket employee, Daniel Gill, was arrested and charged with second-degree assault for allegedly slapping Giuliani's back.
August 2022: SDNY Unlikely to Indict Giuliani for Ukraine Activities
In August 2022, The New York Times reported that the Southern District of New York (SDNY) was unlikely to indict Giuliani for his activities in Ukraine.
September 2022: Assault Charges Adjourned in Giuliani Case
In September 2022, Daniel Gill, the man accused of assaulting Rudy Giuliani in June 2022, agreed to an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, meaning all charges would be dropped if he did not violate the law in the next six months.
December 15, 2022: D.C. Bar Disciplinary Counsel Recommends Disbarment for Giuliani
On December 15, 2022, the D.C. Bar Disciplinary Counsel recommended that Rudy Giuliani be disbarred for violating rules of professional conduct by making false election fraud claims and attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Pennsylvania.
February 2023: Appellate Division Reinstates Counts in Smartmatic Suit Against Giuliani
In February 2023, the Appellate Division reinstated two counts in the Smartmatic defamation suit against Giuliani.
May 15, 2023: Sexual Assault and Wage Theft Lawsuit Filed Against Giuliani
On May 15, 2023, Noelle Dunphy, a former employee, filed a civil lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani, accusing him of sexual assault, wage theft, and unlawful abuse of power, along with allegations of a hostile work environment and other misconduct.
May 2023: Giuliani Sued by Daniel Gill
In May 2023, Daniel Gill, who was accused of assaulting Rudy Giuliani in June 2022, sued Giuliani for monetary damages, alleging false arrest, civil rights conspiracy, defamation, and infliction of emotional distress.
July 7, 2023: Hearing Committee Recommends Disbarment
On July 7, 2023, an ad hoc hearing committee of the Board on Professional Responsibility recommended that Rudy Giuliani be disbarred.
July 2023: End of Period for Unpaid Legal Bills
By July 2023, Rudy Giuliani's unpaid legal bills to the firm Davidoff Hutcher & Citron had reached over $1.3 million, leading to a lawsuit in September 2023.
July 2023: Giuliani Ordered to Pay Attorneys' Fees in Defamation Case
In July 2023, Giuliani was ordered to pay attorneys' fees to the election workers after being sanctioned for failing to turn over evidence in the case.
August 1, 2023: Trump Indicted, Giuliani Identified as 'Co-Conspirator 1'
On August 1, 2023, Trump was charged with four criminal counts related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, with Giuliani widely identified as the unnamed "Co-Conspirator 1" in the indictment.
August 14, 2023: Giuliani Indicted in Georgia Election Interference Case
On August 14, 2023, Rudy Giuliani, along with Donald Trump and 17 others, was indicted by a grand jury in Atlanta, Georgia, on 41 counts related to conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results in favor of Trump under state racketeering laws. Giuliani's false testimony about election fraud in December 2020 was cited in the indictment. His lawyer for the arraignment was Brian Tevis.
August 2023: Indicted in Georgia Election Prosecution
In August 2023, Rudy Giuliani was indicted in the prosecution related to the 2020 election in Georgia.
August 2023: Dominion Lawsuits Against Giuliani and Powell Still Active
As of August 2023, Dominion Voting Systems' lawsuits against Giuliani and Sidney Powell for their election-related lies are still active.
August 23, 2023: Giuliani Surrenders in Georgia
On August 23, 2023, Rudy Giuliani turned himself in at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office in Georgia related to the indictment for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election.
September 2023: Hunter Biden Files Lawsuit Against Giuliani
In September 2023, Hunter Biden filed a civil lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani, his companies, and attorney Robert Costello, alleging they illegally accessed and disseminated data from his personal devices.
September 2023: Law Firm Sues Giuliani for Unpaid Legal Fees
In September 2023, the law firm Davidoff Hutcher & Citron sued Rudy Giuliani for over $1.3 million in unpaid legal fees, alleging he only paid $214,000 of his total legal bill between November 2019 and July 2023.
October 2023: Giuliani Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Joe Biden
In October 2023, Rudy Giuliani filed a defamation lawsuit in New Hampshire against President Joe Biden for referring to him as a "Russian pawn" during a 2020 presidential debate.
December 5, 2023: Giuliani Fails to Appear at Federal Court Pretrial Hearing
On December 5, 2023, Giuliani did not appear at a federal court pretrial hearing. His lawyer took responsibility, while the judge criticized Giuliani's absence.
December 15, 2023: Giuliani Ordered to Pay $148 Million in Defamation Case; Files for Bankruptcy
On December 15, 2023, a federal jury ordered Giuliani to pay $148 million to Freeman and Moss. He said he regretted nothing and would appeal. On December 21, he filed for bankruptcy.
2023: Cassidy Hutchinson's Memoir Alleges Giuliani Groping
In 2023, Cassidy Hutchinson's memoir Enough alleges that Rudy Giuliani groped her backstage during Donald Trump's speech on January 6, 2021.
January 2024: Freeman and Moss accuse Giuliani of taking unfair advantage of the bankruptcy system
In January 2024, Freeman and Moss accused Giuliani of taking unfair advantage of the bankruptcy system in a court filing, with their attorneys calling Giuliani's approach "a flawed, impermissible litigation tactic from an actor with a history of engaging the judicial system in bad faith."
March 2024: Giuliani Fails to Respond to Motion to Dismiss
In March 2024, Rudy Giuliani did not respond to a motion to dismiss his defamation lawsuit against President Joe Biden, filed in October 2023.
April 2024: Giuliani Indicted in Arizona Election Case
In April 2024, Rudy Giuliani was among 18 people indicted on charges related to the 2020 election in Arizona.
April 2024: Indicted in Arizona Election Charges
In April 2024, Rudy Giuliani was indicted on charges related to the 2020 election in Arizona.
May 21, 2024: Giuliani Pleads Not Guilty in Arizona Election Case
On May 21, 2024, Rudy Giuliani pleaded not guilty after being arraigned virtually in Maricopa County Superior Court on charges related to the 2020 election in Arizona. He was ordered to post a $10,000 bond and book himself into the custody of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
May 31, 2024: Board Agrees to Disbar Giuliani
On May 31, 2024, the Board on Professional Responsibility agreed with the recommendation to disbar Rudy Giuliani.
June 2024: Biden Drops Lawsuit Against Giuliani
In June 2024, Hunter Biden dropped the lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani that had been filed in September 2023.
July 2, 2024: Giuliani Disbarred in New York
On July 2, 2024, Rudy Giuliani was disbarred in the state of New York, following the suspension of his law license in June 2021 due to an investigation regarding his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
September 26, 2024: Giuliani Disbarred in District of Columbia
On September 26, 2024, Rudy Giuliani was disbarred in the District of Columbia under reciprocal discipline, following his disbarment in New York.
January 3, 2025: Giuliani Ruled in Contempt by Liman
On January 3, 2025, Giuliani was ruled in contempt by Liman at a hearing.
