In a groundbreaking decision, a federal jury in Washington has ruled that Rudy Giuliani must pay a staggering $148 million in damages to two former Georgia election workers, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and her mother Ruby Freeman. The verdict stems from Giuliani’s defamatory statements, falsely accusing them of orchestrating election fraud to undermine Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
The jury, convened in a federal court in Washington, found Giuliani liable for causing approximately $73 million in compensatory damages, reflecting the reputational and emotional harm suffered by Moss and Freeman. Additionally, a punitive sum of $75 million was imposed on the former Trump lawyer and ex-New York mayor for his role in disseminating false claims.
In a poignant post-verdict statement, Freeman expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, emphasizing the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. She remarked, “Today’s a good day. A jury stood witness to what Rudy Giuliani did to me and my daughter and held him accountable. Others must be held accountable, too.”
The legal proceedings unfolded after a federal judge established Giuliani’s liability for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy. The central focus of the trial was determining the extent of damages to be imposed on Giuliani, who played a prominent role in amplifying Trump’s baseless allegations of a stolen 2020 election. Following over 10 hours of deliberation, the jury arrived at its verdict.
Giuliani, determined to contest the decision, announced his intention to appeal. Outside the courthouse, he dismissed the magnitude of the damages, stating, “The absurdity of the number merely underscores the absurdity of the entire proceeding.”
The trial shed light on an emotional three days of testimony during which Moss and Freeman, both Black women, recounted receiving a torrent of racist and sexist messages, including threats of lynching, fueled by false claims propagated by Trump and his allies.
Michael Gottlieb, the workers’ lawyer, asserted during his closing argument, “Mr. Giuliani thought he could get away with making Ruby and Shaye the face of election fraud because he thought they were ordinary and expendable. He has no right to offer defenseless civil servants up to a virtual mob in order to overturn an election.”
Giuliani, known for his repeated false claims, alleged that a surveillance video showed Moss and Freeman engaging in fraudulent activities during the 2020 election in Atlanta. Despite initially indicating he would testify, Giuliani opted not to take the witness stand.
The trial’s aftermath underscores the broader implications of Giuliani’s actions, with the former mayor facing criminal charges in the Georgia racketeering case related to Trump’s efforts to overturn the election. Giuliani has pleaded not guilty to these charges, marking a continuation of his legal challenges and mounting fees since his involvement in Trump’s post-election maneuvers.
