Rudy Giuliani Ordered to Pay $148 Million in Defamation Lawsuit
Former Trump campaign attorney Rudy Giuliani has been ordered to pay $148 million to two former Georgia election workers, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and Ruby Freeman, whom he falsely accused of fraud following the 2020 election. The decision comes at the end of a week-long federal civil trial in Washington, D.C., where the jury heard testimonies from Moss and Freeman about the impact of the election conspiracies spread by Giuliani and former President Donald Trump.
False Accusations and Damaging Consequences
Giuliani used his position as a campaign attorney for Trump to spread lies about Moss and Freeman’s actions as election workers in Georgia. He shared a video from an absentee ballot counting facility, falsely claiming that the women were cheating and scanning ballots multiple times to benefit Joe Biden. However, a hand-count audit and a years-long investigation by the Georgia secretary of state’s office found these accusations to be baseless.
During the trial, Moss and Freeman testified about the violent and racist voicemails they received as a result of Giuliani’s false claims. They also expressed the fear and distress they experienced, with Moss stating that she was afraid for her life. The jury’s award of $148 million is intended to compensate the women for the damage caused to their reputations and lives.
Giuliani’s Response and Ongoing Legal Troubles
Giuliani called the jury’s award “absurd” and expressed his belief that it would be overturned on appeal. However, this is not the only legal trouble he faces in relation to his efforts to subvert Georgia’s 2020 election. He is also facing multiple charges in a racketeering investigation brought by the Fulton County district attorney.
The Impact of Election Lies
The trial highlighted the wide reach of election lies and the devastating consequences they can have on individuals. Expert witnesses estimated that the falsehoods spread by Giuliani reached tens of millions of people. The attorneys for Moss and Freeman argued that repairing their reputations could cost up to $47.4 million.
Freeman emotionally described the impact of the lies on her life, including receiving death threats and feeling unsafe in her own community. She emphasized the importance of one’s name and expressed her hope that no one else would have to go through what she and Moss experienced.
Accountability and Embracing the Truth
As the 2024 election approaches, election expert Tammy Patrick expressed optimism that the consequences faced by those involved in attempting to overturn the 2020 election will discourage future candidates from spreading lies. She emphasized the need to hold people accountable and embrace the truth in order to maintain the integrity of elections and the people who administer them.