Rudy Giuliani disbarred in New York for lying about 2020 election
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Rudy Giuliani speaks with media in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Jan. 21. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Rudy Giuliani, ex-lawyer to former President Trump, on Tuesday lost his license to practice law in New York.
Why it matters: The order from New York's Appellate Division First Department is the latest in a string of events tied to Giuliani's alleged actions to help Trump overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
- The panel of judges wrote in the court filing that Giuliani "communicated demonstrably false and misleading statements to courts, lawmakers, and the public at large" regarding the 2020 election.
- They also said he "flagrantly misused" his position as Trump's lawyer and "deliberately violated some of the most fundamental tenets of the legal profession."
What they're saying: Giuliani will appeal the disbarment decision, said spokesperson Ted Goodman.
- "Members of the legal community who respect the rule of law in this country should immediately come forward and speak out against this politically and ideologically corrupted decision," Goodman wrote.
Flashback: Giuliani, also the former mayor of New York City and top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, was suspended from practicing law in New York in 2021.
- Last year, an attorney disciplinary committee recommended he be disbarred in D.C., where he'd been an inactive member since 2002.
The big picture: Giuliani has "actively contributed to the national strife that has followed the 2020 presidential election," the court filing said.
- Giuliani's "disruptive and disrespectful behavior" during a hearing added to the case for his disbarment, per the court.
State of play: Giuliani faces legal charges and financial penalties for 2020 election interference.
- In Arizona, he pleaded not guilty in May in a fake electors case. He was ordered to post a $10,000 bond because of trouble the Attorney General's Office had in serving him with a summons.
- He's a Trump co-defendant in Georgia facing 13 charges, including conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree and violating Georgia's RICO act.
- Also in Georgia, he was ordered last year to pay $148 million for defaming two Georgia election workers.
The bottom line: Giuliani's proximity to the president "gave his acts and words a special currency to the public," the New York court filing said.
- But his behavior caused "immeasurable damage to our democracy," it said.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with details throughout and a statement from a Giuliani spokesperson.
