Judge Scott McAfee, the judge overseeing the Georgia election case against former President Donald Trump, his ex-attorney Rudy Giuliani, and 17 others, issued a new ruling dismissing Giuliani’s motion for an extension. In the ruling, McAfee didn’t hold back his criticism of Giuliani’s legal team’s argument.
Attempted extension
Giuliani and his legal team were seeking an extension on Jan 8 deadline to file pre-trial motions. His lawyers argued that the embattled former mayor of New York City hadn’t managed to review the “voluminous” discovery materials that will be presented at trial.
Poor argument
“Defendant does not articulate exactly what discovery must still be reviewed,” McAfee wrote in his denial, “or why the review has not been completed in the approximately four months that have passed since arraignment.”
Light on details
McAfee also criticized Giuliani’s lawyers for not specifying what they still needed to review or how much time they would need to review the remaining materials.
Stretching the truth
“While Defendant claims to have filed ‘many’ motions concerning discovery,” McAfee wrote, “none appear on the docket. Extensions are only considered upon the filing of a particularized motion containing a detailed, fact-based explanation of the need for the extension, including the amount of time needed.”
Firm ruling
“The motion is DENIED,” McAfee concluded. “All deadlines remain in place.”
Experts and internet commenters weigh in
“This is a pretty scathing rebuke of Giuliani’s counsel,” wrote MSNBC legal analyst Andrew Weissmann on X, formerly Twitter. “That response was so COLD,” another user agreed. “McAfee blasted [Giuliani] with liquid nitrogen.”
“Zero shenanigans”
“That’s a first-order slap on the wrist,” one user commented. “Judge is entertaining zero shenanigans. Good.”
Disbelief
“How on earth could any competent attorney misrepresent to the court that purported motions had been filed that never were filed?” One X user wondered. “How could they possibly think that the judge and the clerk would be unaware of what actually had been filed?”
Lawyer troubles
“The quality of lawyers is definitely on the decline from what we’ve seen recently in the Trump camp,” an X user commented. “But then, why would any lawyer worth his/her salt ever want to represent the MAGA crowd?”
Seeking payment
In September 2023, Giuliani was sued by his former lawyers, who claimed he owed them more than $1.3 million in unpaid legal fees. A month earlier, a different lawyer representing Giuliani told MSNBC that he wasn’t willing to publicly commit to sticking with Giuliani throughout the trial.
Obvious questions
“How hard would anyone work if they’re not being paid?” one X user commented. “It won’t be long before Rudy qualifies for a public defender, and then he’ll get better representation.”
Money troubles
Giuliani has repeatedly complained about his money troubles, mainly due to rising legal fees and massive fines, including $148 million to two Georgia election workers he was found to have defamed. Two days after receiving that ruling, Giuliani filed for bankruptcy.
Seeking cash
On Tuesday, the former mayor said he regrets not taking his city pension, which would have been worth more than $25,000 annually. In total, he would have an additional $442,000 if he had taken and saved all of his city pension payments.
Fire sale
To raise funds, Giuliani listed his $6.5 million Manhattan apartment for sale in August. In October, he lowered the asking price to $6.1 million.
Little sympathy
“Rudy deserves everything he has coming to him,” an X user commented. “He did this to himself.”
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