National Post (National Edition)

Divorcing Giulianis bicker in court

- Erik Larson

NEW YOR K • Rudy Giuliani’s bitter divorce may be heading for a long and “unpleasant” trial, an exasperate­d judge said, as the former New York City mayor bickered with his soon-to-be ex-wife over issues including how to share their house on Long Island this summer.

“It really doesn’t matter to me who has Memorial Day weekend and who has Labour Day weekend,” Justice Michael Katz told Rudy and Judith Giuliani at a hearing Wednesday in a cramped Manhattan courtroom. “I do not understand why something like that needs to be brought to the court.”

Bernard Clair, the attorney representi­ng Judith, who is Rudy Giuliani’s third wife, said a schedule for sharing the property in an exclusive New York beach town might be necessary so neighbours will know when the former mayor will be there with his security entourage — or another woman he’s been associated with.

Rudy Giuliani, a lawyer for President Donald Trump, interjecte­d and called Clair “unethical” for mentioning the other woman by name, prompting the judge to try to silence him.

“You’re not the lawyer here,” Katz said.

“That’s a cheap shot!” Giuliani said angrily under his breath, pointing to Clair.

The lawyers for the pair proceeded to argue about a range of issues that have hobbled the case, including Giuliani’s alleged failure to pay a $21,000 nursing-home bill for his wife’s mother; Judith Giuliani’s alleged failure to produce all of her jewelry; her alleged concealing of a bank account with $100; a landscapin­g bill; the couple’s failure to agree on a date to appraise their apartments in Florida; and even a plan to renovate a kitchen.

Katz said he was “really not interested” in “micromanag­ing a kitchen renovation.”

Another hearing was set for May 30.

 ?? ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO FILES ?? Judith Giuliani filed divorce papers against Rudy Giuliani last April. A trial may lie ahead.
ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO FILES Judith Giuliani filed divorce papers against Rudy Giuliani last April. A trial may lie ahead.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada