Rudy Giuliani is splitting from his Manhattan law firm in order to focus on his new position as part of President Donald Trump’s legal team.
Giuliani joined Trump’s legal team in April, originally intending to take an unpaid leave of absence from Greenberg Traurig.
However, in a joint statement released Thursday, the firm said the parting will be permanent, due to White House demand which is “all consuming and is lasting longer than initially anticipated.”
Similarly, Giuliani explained, “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.”
Some have speculated the departure is due to more than just the Mueller probe. Amid questions of campaign finance regulations and former Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s alleged payment of $130,0000 to Stormy Daniels, Giuliani told Sean Hannity in a May 2nd Fox News interview, “That was money that was paid by his lawyer, the way I would do, out of his law firm funds. … Michael would take care of things like this like I take care of this with my clients.”
In response to Giulaini’s claim, Greenberg Traurig spokeswoman Jill Perry said to The New York Times, “We cannot speak for Mr. Giuliani with respect to what was intended by his remarks. … 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.”