Rudy Giuliani has turned his temporary leave of absence from his law firm, Greenberg Traurig, into a permanent departure, reportedly to concentrate exclusively on his work for President Trump.
CNN:
"In light of the pressing demands of the Mueller investigation, I believe it is in everyone's best interest that I make it a permanent resignation. This way, my sole concentration can be on this critically important matter for our country," Giuliani said in a statement Thursday.
Richard Rosenbaum, the firm's executive chairman, said that Giuliani initially planned to play a "limited role, for a short period of time" on Trump's legal team but that the work has turned out to be "all consuming and is lasting longer than initially anticipated."
The former New York City mayor joined the President's legal team last month, saying at the time he intended to work on bringing the special counsel investigation to a conclusion.
But Giuliani's remarks during recent media appearances did not sit well with his colleagues and likely contributed to his departure.
Firm partners had chafed over Mr. Giuliani’s public comments about payments that another of Mr. Trump’s lawyers, Michael D. Cohen, made to secure the silence of a pornographic film actress who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump. The president has denied her allegations.
Mr. Giuliani suggested that such payments were common at his firm, even without the knowledge of the clients. “That was money that was paid by his lawyer, the way I would do, out of his law firm funds,” he said on Fox News. He added, “Michael would take care of things like this like I take care of this with my clients.”
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The New York Times asked Greenberg Traurig about those remarks early this week. Shortly after Mr. Giuliani’s resignation was announced, the firm responded.
“We cannot speak for Mr. Giuliani with respect to what was intended by his remarks,” said a spokeswoman, Jill Perry. “Speaking for ourselves, we would not condone payments of the nature alleged to have been made or otherwise without the knowledge and direction of a client.”
Mr. Giuliani laughed when read the statement from the firm. “First of all, I don’t think they really understand what I said,” he said. He said he was referring to a non-disclosure agreement that Mr. Cohen had negotiated. “That’s a very common part of a settlement,” he said. “In fact, any lawyer would negotiated that for a client.”
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In the statement, Greenberg Traurig said that Mr. Giuliani had resigned effective Wednesday.
Giuliani’s Law Firm Undercuts His Statements as They Part Ways (New York Times)
Giuliani resigns from law firm amid legal work for Trump (CNN)