[News人物] 'Sexual Harassment' Allegation Filed Against '9/11 Terror' Hero... Giuliani Former New York Mayor

Famed as the 'Righteous Prosecutor' for Taking Down New York's 5 Major Mafia
Praised as 'Mayor of America' During 9/11 Terror Attacks
Criticized After Turning into Trump's Personal Lawyer
Giuliani Denies Allegations, Says "Will Use All Possible Means"

A woman who worked with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has filed a civil lawsuit seeking at least $10 million (13.4 billion KRW), including unpaid wages, claiming she was sexually coerced by him during her tenure. Giuliani, known as the so-called 'American 9/11 hero,' was a highly respected figure. However, he has faced public criticism amid allegations of sexual harassment.

According to foreign media including the AP News, on the 15th (local time), a woman named Noel Dunphy claimed in a recent court filing that she suffered such harm while working as Giuliani's business development director and public relations consultant from 2019 to 2021. Giuliani's side strongly denied the allegations made by Dunphy and told AP News that they plan to use all possible legal remedies and counterclaims.

Rudolph Giuliani in 2011, when he gained fame as the "Mayor of America" by managing the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks as the Mayor of New York City. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Giuliani, a descendant of Italian immigrants, was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1944. After earning a master's degree from New York University, he obtained a law license and began his public service career as a New York State prosecutor. Until 1983, he served as the Deputy Attorney General of the Department of Justice, and afterward, he worked as a federal prosecutor for New York State. He became famous for dismantling the five major mafia organizations in New York, securing 100-year sentences for key figures. At the time, he was known as the 'patent holder of the perp walk' because he would bring violent criminals in front of TV cameras for public exposure.

Later, he gained a reputation as a 'righteous prosecutor' by indicting Wall Street heavyweight Ivan Boesky and Michael Milken, known as the king of junk bonds, for insider trading. Riding on his fame, Giuliani became New York City mayor in 1993 at the age of 49. Upon taking office, he immediately began thoroughly searching New York subways, streets, parks, and secluded alleys to eliminate high-crime areas.

Citizens cheered, and he was named 'Person of the Year' in 2001 by Time magazine. Additionally, he was listed among Forbes' '100 Most Influential People' and People magazine's '2001 People to Watch.' He received Germany's 'Media Award' and the Reagan Freedom Award, was knighted in the United Kingdom, and was even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Rudolph Giuliani, lawyer and former New York mayor
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The most notable part of his career is related to the '9/11 attacks' at the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001. As the mayor of New York City at the time, he was praised as the 'Mayor of America' for quickly managing the scene while holding back tears and emphasizing unity. After leaving office, he earned hundreds of millions of dollars through lectures and establishing a law firm, and he ran unsuccessfully for president twice in 2004 and 2008.

He reemerged on the political stage in the 2016 presidential election by supporting Donald Trump. Giuliani was a great help to Trump, who had no support base in the Republican Party, and the two, both political and business heavyweights in New York, became close enough to have family golf gatherings. Later, as Trump's personal attorney, Giuliani filed over 50 lawsuits in battleground states to overturn the 2020 election results but lost all of them. Regarding these actions, in January 2021, the American environmental media outlet Trip Live criticized him, saying, "The Mayor of America has become a dark knight who only protects Trump."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.