A judge was forced to put a ranting Rudy Giuliani on mute during a virtual hearing in his Manhattan sexual assault and harassment case on Wednesday after he launched personal attacks against his accuser, Noelle Dunphy.
More than an hour into the hearing, when Giuliani was allowed to speak, the embattled former New York City mayor and Donald Trump lawyer lobbed a series of unfounded allegations against Dunphy, calling her character into question.
“Your honor, this is outrageous,” Dunphy’s lawyer, Justin Kelton, said.
State Supreme Court Justice Nicholas Moyne yelled at Giuliani multiple times, asking him to stop talking. Finally, he put him on mute.
“Mr. Giuliani, you’re going to cause yourself harm by doing this, okay? So I’m going to protect you from yourself at this time,” Moyne said.
“These are not legal arguments that you’re making right now,” he said. “These are personal attacks, and this is not the time for that, okay? I’m not going to allow it, I’m sorry. I tried to treat you with respect and with deference, but you have to follow my rules.”
Giuliani, who had a lawyer present but is technically representing himself in the case, proceeded to shout at the camera after being muted before sitting back in his chair.
Wednesday’s hearing was held for Moyne to resolve several outstanding motions. It came a week after Giuliani, facing multiple lawsuits concerning a wide range of allegations, was ordered in a separate case to turn over control of almost everything he owns of value — including his Upper East Side condo — within seven days to the Georgia mother and daughter he was found liable for baselessly accusing of rigging the last presidential election and ordered to pay around $148 million.
Dunphy sued Giuliani in May 2023, alleging he subjected her to sexual assault and harassment throughout her time working for him as a business consultant between January 2019 through 2021.
Her suit accuses the 80-year-old Giuliani, in graphic detail, of forcing her to engage in “violent sex,” attend video calls naked, and work in short shorts he bought printed with an American flag, among other accusations.
She has also accused Giuliani of requiring her to work off-the-books until his divorce with Judith Giuliani was finalized and then refusing to pay her some $2 million in wages.
The suit, which demands at least $10 million and a jury trial, lists claims including sexual harassment, sexual assault, breach of contract, and retaliatory discharge. It accuses Giuliani of creating a hostile work environment and violating New York City’s Gender Motivated Violence Protection Law.
Giuliani vehemently denies the allegations and says that Dunphy was never his employee.
This story will be updated.
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