Rudy Giuliani Facing Legal Action for Unpaid Legal Fees Amounting to $1.36 Million

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Rudy Giuliani has been taken to court by his erstwhile legal representative, who asserts that the former Mayor of New York City has only remitted a portion of nearly $1.6 million owed in legal charges emanating from inquiries into Giuliani’s activities aimed at retaining Donald Trump’s presidency.

Robert Costello, along with his legal establishment, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, contend that Giuliani has disbursed a mere $214,000 against an outstanding balance of $1.36 million. The most recent payment recorded from Giuliani, as stated in the legal complaint, was a $10,000 transaction on September 14, coming roughly a week subsequent to a $100,000-per-seat fundraiser for Giuliani, orchestrated by Trump at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf course.

The litigants argue that Giuliani, who once earned widespread accolades as “America’s Mayor” following his conduct in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, has violated the terms of his retainer agreement by neglecting to settle invoices promptly and fully. The suit, instituted in a Manhattan state court, demands complete reparation for the outstanding legal fees and additional costs accrued in efforts to procure the payments.

Giuliani responded to these claims on Monday, articulating through a spokesperson that he is deeply dismayed by Costello’s actions. He further asserted that the billing from Costello and his firm significantly surpasses what he considers to be reasonable legal charges.

The lawsuit emerges as a recent indicator of Giuliani’s increasing financial difficulties, which have been aggravated by expensive legal inquiries, court actions, penalties, sanctions, and other financial liabilities associated with his endeavors to challenge the 2020 election outcome.

Last month, Giuliani, alongside Trump and 17 other individuals, was indicted in Georgia on charges brought forth by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who accuses them of orchestrating a scheme to invalidate Joe Biden’s electoral victory. Giuliani has entered a plea of not guilty in connection to these allegations.

Robert Costello, a partner at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, represented Giuliani from November 2019 until July 2023. During this period, he provided legal counsel to Giuliani on a variety of issues, including an investigation into his commercial activities in Ukraine, which culminated in an FBI search of Giuliani’s residence and office in April 2021, as well as other state and federal examinations arising from Trump’s electoral defeat in 2020.

Costello and his firm have noted in their complaint that they also represented Giuliani in multiple civil litigations lodged against him and in disciplinary actions which resulted in the suspension of his law licenses in both Washington, D.C., and New York.

Furthermore, Giuliani faces the prospect of a considerable financial penalty after a judge deemed him responsible in a defamation suit filed by two election workers in Georgia, leading to a directive that he and his businesses remit over $130,000 in legal charges.

Andrew Giuliani, Rudy’s son, disclosed last week that the Bedminster fundraising event was projected to accumulate over $1 million to assist with Giuliani’s legal expenditures. Additionally, Trump has pledged to host another fundraiser at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida later this year or in the early winter.

While waiting for further financial support, Giuliani has resorted to alternative methods to raise capital. He has listed his Manhattan apartment for sale at a price of $6.5 million and has directed followers on social media to contribute to his legal defense fund. Giuliani has also opted to represent himself in certain legal matters to mitigate costs.

Last year, Giuliani was warned by a judge that he could face incarceration over a financial dispute concerning unpaid sums to Judith, his third former spouse. He indicated that he was making progress in settling the debt, which Judith claims exceeds $260,000.

Earlier this year, another lawsuit was filed against Giuliani by a woman who claimed to be his employee. She alleges he owes her close to $2 million in back wages and accuses him of sexual coercion, charges which Giuliani has strenuously denied.

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• Rudy Giuliani Indicted in Georgia
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• Defamation Lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani
• Giuliani’s Law License Suspension
• Financial Dispute with Third Ex-Wife
• Lawsuit for Unpaid Wages and Sexual Coercion Allegations