New York Supreme Court Suspends Rudy Giuliani’s Law License

New York Supreme Court Suspends Rudy Giuliani’s Law License
Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani speaks during a news conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington on Nov. 19, 2020. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo)
Jack Phillips
6/24/2021
Updated:
6/24/2021

The New York Supreme Court suspended former Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s law license for making what it described as false statements following the Nov. 3 election.

The court ruled on June 24 (pdf) that Giuliani made “false and misleading statements to courts, lawmakers, and the public at large in his capacity as lawyer for former President Donald J. Trump and the Trump campaign.”

“We conclude that respondent’s conduct immediately threatens the public interest and warrants interim suspension from the practice of law, pending further proceedings before the Attorney Grievance Committee,” the filing reads.

Giuliani had served as Trump’s lawyer and spearheaded a legal effort after the conclusion of the Nov. 3 election alleging that Trump was fraudulently denied victory in several battleground states, including Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

Giuliani’s suspension was sought by the Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department, a body that includes Manhattan.

The court order on June 24 noted that Giuliani’s suspension is temporary and is dependent upon the outcome of a full formal hearing.

In a statement after the court’s decision, Giuliani’s lawyers told The Epoch Times: “We are disappointed with the Appellate Division, First Department’s decision suspending Mayor Giuliani prior to being afforded a hearing on the issues that are alleged.

“This is unprecedented as we believe that our client does not pose a present danger to the public interest. We believe that once the issues are fully explored at a hearing Mr. Giuliani will be reinstated as a valued member of the legal profession that he has served so well in his many capacities for so many years.”

Trump panned the court’s decision.

“Can you believe that New York wants to strip Rudy Giuliani, a great American Patriot, of his law license because he has been fighting what has already been proven to be a Fraudulent Election?” Trump said in a statement, describing the case as a ”witch hunt.”

Giuliani, who was admitted to the New York state bar in 1969, previously had a prominent legal career, having worked in the Department of Justice during the 1980s. He was named as U.S. Attorney in Manhattan in 1983.

Years later, he was elected mayor of New York and served in that capacity for eight years. Giuliani rose to national prominence for his leadership during and after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks targeting the World Trade Center in Manhattan.

Aside from the state Supreme Court’s ruling, Giuliani also could face a potential criminal investigation, after a federal judge appointed a special watchdog to review material that was recently seized from him. The watchdog, former federal Judge Barbara Jones, will determine what electronic files can be seen by prosecutors and what material should be exempt.

Giuliani, along with attorney Sidney Powell and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, also faces a defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems. All three have filed motions asking a judge to throw out the lawsuits.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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