Guiliani appeared to double down on his baseless allegations of the mother-daughter duo of Freeman and Moss.
In a recent legal development, the jury has handed down a substantial verdict against Rudy Giuliani, the former lawyer for Donald Trump.
“The jury ordered Giuliani to pay a staggering $148 million in damages for defaming two Georgia poll workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea “Shaye” Moss.” Court reports.
This case stems from Giuliani’s involvement in perpetuating false claims of election fraud during the 2020 presidential election.
The eight-person federal jury broke down the damages as follows: more than $16 million each for defamation, $20 million each for emotional distress, and a whopping $75 million in punitive damages.
The defamation case accused Giuliani of making baseless and damaging statements against Freeman and Moss, who were implicated in fraudulent activities related to the ballot-counting process.
Giuliani, a key figure in Trump’s legal efforts to challenge the election results, posted a video that falsely accused Freeman and Moss of engaging in fraud.
The video, part of Giuliani’s campaign to overturn the 2020 election results on behalf of former President Trump, not only targeted the poll workers but also included numerous other unfounded claims.
After the damages award, Moss spoke out about the devastating impact of Giuliani’s false accusations on their lives. She explained that the false narrative had permeated every aspect of their existence, affecting their homes, family, work, sense of safety, and mental health. Giuliani’s misleading statements had ignited a flame that, according to Moss, changed their lives irrevocably.
Giuliani, who is 79 years old, immediately denounced the damages award as “absurd” and vowed to appeal the decision.
He expressed confidence that a fair tribunal would quickly reverse the verdict, maintaining that he had evidence to support his claims but did not have the opportunity to present it during the trial.
Despite the legal setback, Giuliani seemed to double down on his baseless allegations against Freeman and Moss, stating, “I have no doubt that my comments were made and they were supportable and are supportable today.” This stance further fueled the controversy surrounding his actions during the election aftermath.
Freeman and Moss, both Black individuals, testified during the four-day trial about the profound impact of Giuliani’s false accusations on their lives. They detailed how the allegations had not only disrupted their personal and professional lives but also subjected them to vile racist threats. This aspect adds a troubling layer to the case, highlighting the broader societal implications of baseless claims and misinformation.
This defamation case is just one of several legal challenges facing Giuliani. He has been indicted on racketeering charges in Georgia, alongside Trump and others, for allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
Giuliani, once known as “America’s Mayor” during his tenure as New York mayor from 1994 to 2001, has faced a significant fall from grace due to his involvement in post-election legal battles.
Moreover, Giuliani’s license to practice law has been suspended in both New York and Washington, citing “false and misleading statements” made in his attempts to overturn the election results.
This suspension adds another layer of complexity to his legal troubles and raises questions about the professional consequences of engaging in misleading practices.
In addition to the defamation case, Giuliani is entangled in a lawsuit filed by Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. This lawsuit accuses Giuliani of computer fraud for allegedly accessing personal data on Hunter Biden’s computer.
The controversy surrounding the data from Hunter Biden’s laptop, circulated by Giuliani and Trump allies in an attempt to discredit Joe Biden before the 2020 election, further adds to the legal entanglements Giuliani currently faces.
