Julian Rudolph’s life was irrevocably changed when his father, Larry Rudolph, was convicted of murdering his wife on an African vacation.
Julian, in an exclusive interview with ABC News, spoke out for the first time about the harrowing experience and his subsequent legal battle with the U.S. government over his family’s assets.
Son’s Disbelief Turns to Horror
“It’s incomprehensible to me,” said Julian, now 33. Julian Rudolph grappled with disbelief upon learning about his father’s crime.
He couldn’t fathom his father being capable of such an act until he witnessed the disturbing photos from the crime scene and heard the devastating testimony during the trial last year. This revelation led him to rarely answer his father’s calls from federal prison.
Government Battle Over Assets
“They’re treating my sister and I more like perpetrators than surviving victims of a violent crime,” he said.
Julian and his sister AnaBianca have faced challenges with the U.S. government in their quest to recover assets they believe were wrongfully taken from them after their mother’s death. Julian feels that they are being treated unfairly in this complex legal situation.
Dispute Over Inheritance
Following his mother’s death, Julian Rudolph has been entangled in a dispute over the family’s fortune. He and his sister assert that they are entitled to most of their father’s remaining assets, which have been allegedly diminished due to extravagant spending and legal troubles.
However, the Justice Department aims to reimburse several insurance companies, complicating the siblings’ claims.
Morality Versus the Law
“It’s a matter of right and wrong,” Julian stated. Julian Rudolph sees his legal battle with the government as a fight between morality and legality.
He believes that the handling of his family’s assets by the U.S. government goes beyond the language of the law, touching upon deeper issues of justice and ethics.
Memories of a ‘Normal’ Childhood
“She was my best friend,” Julian said, reflecting on his mother. Julian recalls growing up in a seemingly normal suburban environment in Pittsburgh.
His father, a successful dentist, was often described as good and charismatic. His mother, a stay-at-home parent, was his closest ally, making the events that unfolded even more tragic for him.
Doubts and Beliefs Shaken
Julian spent years grappling with doubts about the true nature of his mother’s death in Africa.
His father had always maintained it was an accidental shooting. This belief persisted until the overwhelming evidence presented at trial revealed a much darker reality.
Sister’s Silence Amidst Legal Turmoil
“It’s unclear if Julian’s sister agrees.” While Julian has publicly shared his experiences and feelings, his sister AnaBianca has chosen to remain silent.
Initially, both siblings had supported their father, but the trial’s revelations have since led Julian to change his stance. AnaBianca’s current views on their father’s guilt and the ongoing legal battle remain unknown.
Eye-Opening Trial Experience
“Every day going into that courtroom, I saw something new that broke my heart,” Julian said. The trial of Larry Rudolph was a transformative experience for Julian and his sister.
They were confronted with shocking evidence of a well-planned murder and cover-up by their father. The trial provided them with painful but necessary clarity about their family’s tragedy.
Complex Legal Battle Over Assets
The aftermath of the trial has seen Julian embroiled in a complex legal dispute over his father’s assets.
Julian and his sister are in a difficult position as they face off against the Justice Department, which is attempting to distribute the seized assets in a different manner than the siblings deem appropriate.
Judge Considers Mediation
“[I]t would be vastly preferable…if the parties could come to an agreement,” the judge suggested. In the ongoing legal dispute, a federal judge who had previously ruled against Julian and his sister is now reconsidering the case.
The judge has expressed an interest in appointing a mediator, suggesting that a resolution outside of court might be more beneficial for all parties involved.
Julian’s Resolve to Fight On
“I owe it to [all of them] to be here to fight,” Julian expressed. Despite the emotional toll, Julian remains determined to continue his legal battle.
He is motivated by the memory of his mother, his sister, and his future family. Julian aspires to move on from this traumatic chapter of his life but acknowledges the importance of resolving this final legal hurdle.
