Rudy Giuliani faces staggering $148m penalty for defamation in election fraud case

In a dramatic legal development, Rudy Giuliani, former campaign lawyer for Donald Trump, has been ordered by a federal jury to pay $148 million in damages to two Georgia election workers he falsely accused of election fraud. This verdict marks a significant reversal for Giuliani, who gained fame as “America’s mayor” post-9/11 but now faces substantial legal and financial challenges.

Giuliani’s claims against Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, have led to a punishing financial judgment. He vowed to appeal, calling the amount “absurd” and criticizing the trial’s fairness. The courtroom gasped at the $75 million in punitive damages and $36 million each in other damages awarded to the women.

The former New York mayor faces other financial woes beyond this verdict, including a lawsuit from his former lawyer demanding $1.36 million in unpaid fees and the sale of his apartment for $6.5 million, only a fraction of what he owes. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell had previously ruled that Giuliani defamed Freeman and Moss by making false accusations of ballot box stuffing on election night in Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.

The trial showcased a narrative of misinformation and its consequences. Michael Gottlieb, representing Freeman and Moss, described the defendants’ lies as a viral campaign to overturn the election. Giuliani, steadfast in his conspiracy theories, faced rebuke for not providing evidence. He did not testify and didn’t contest the false statements, instead arguing for his First Amendment rights.

Giuliani’s legal troubles extend beyond this case, with looming litigation for spreading baseless claims of election fraud. Georgia prosecutors have charged him in an election racketeering case, linking him to Trump’s campaign efforts to overturn election results. Giuliani’s attacks on Freeman and Moss were part of a broader campaign targeting narrowly contested states.

The verdict against Giuliani represents a significant moment in U.S. legal history, underscoring the severe consequences of spreading false information in the political arena. It also highlights the ongoing controversies and legal battles stemming from the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election.