Giuliani Hires ‘Close Friend’ as He Faces Mountain of Litigation

Rudolph Giuliani wants to hire a friend and associate as “special litigation counsel” while the former New York mayor takes on multiple legal challenges.

Giuliani, who is bankrupt, is seeking to hire Ken Caruso, a former prosecutor and White & Case LLP partner, according to a Wednesday filing in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

The request for additional legal help comes as Giuliani faces mounting legal troubles. On Monday he lost a bid to reduce a $148 million defamation judgment he was ordered to pay two Georgia poll workers he accused of rigging the 2020 presidential election. He’s also fighting an effort from creditors to force a sale of his Florida condo.

In total, Giuliani faces at least 10 civil lawsuits, including multiple alleging defamation, he disclosed in court filings. Giuliani has said he has a legal defense fund, and creditors have asked for more information about who has contributed to it.

Giuliani also faces criminal charges in a Fulton County, Ga., election fraud and racketeering suit, which can’t be discharged through his bankruptcy. He’s pleaded not guilty.

Caruso, who didn’t immediately return a request for comment, was previously an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York and a deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department’s criminal division.

Giuliani in 1997 appointed Caruso to chair the New York City Gambling Control Commission. A release at the time said Caruso had a “long and distinguished career in international and domestic civil and criminal law.”

In his book, Giuliani described Caruso as a “close friend” who helped him navigate a 2000 prostate cancer diagnosis.

Giuliani is represented by Berger Fischoff Shumer Wexler & Goodman LLP. Giuliani’s creditor committee is represented by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.

The case is Rudolph W. Giuliani, Bankr. S.D.N.Y., No. 23-12055, 4/17/24.