Giuliani’s home searched as U.S. probe of former Trump lawyer intensifies

NEW YORK, (Reuters) - Federal agents yesterday searched Rudolph Giuliani’s Manhattan apartment and office, escalating their investigation into the Ukrainian business dealings of the onetime personal lawyer of former President Donald Trump.

A lawyer for Giuliani, 76, confirmed that search warrants had been executed, and that authorities had seized cell phones and computers. The warrants included an allegation that Giuliani failed to register as a foreign agent, a violation of lobbying laws.

Prior to the 2020 presidential election, Giuliani led an effort to dig up dirt on then-Democratic contender Joe Biden and his son Hunter in Ukraine.

Biden defeated the Republican Trump and is now president. He and his son have denied wrongdoing.

In a statement, Giuliani’s lawyer Bob Costello defended his client and suggested the investigation was politically motivated.

“Mayor Giuliani has not only denied this allegation, but offered twice in the past two years through his attorney Bob Costello to demonstrate that it is entirely untrue,” the statement said. “Twice the offer was rejected.”

Costello said the electronics seized were “replete” with information protected by attorney-client privilege.

Costello later told Reuters investigators also took laptops, plus a desk top computer that belonged to Giuliani’s former wife from his apartment, and that they searched his Park Avenue office and took the work computer of Jo Ann Zafonte, Giuliani’s longtime assistant.