Former Trump campaign attorney Rudy Giuliani has been ordered to pay a staggering $148 million to two former Georgia election workers, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and Ruby Freeman, whom he defamed. The decision was made at the end of a week-long federal civil trial in Washington, D.C., where an eight-person jury heard compelling testimony from the victims.
During the trial, Moss testified about her fear for her life, believing that someone might attempt to harm her due to the false allegations spread by Giuliani. In his false claims, Giuliani accused Moss and Freeman of cheating and scanning ballots multiple times in favor of Joe Biden. However, both a hand-count audit in Georgia and a years-long investigation by the Georgia secretary of state’s office found these accusations to be utterly baseless.
District Judge Beryl Howell had previously held Giuliani liable for defamation, and even Giuliani himself conceded that his statements about Moss and Freeman were false. As a result, the trial was held to determine the damages owed to the victims. Giuliani responded to the jury’s award by deeming it “absurd” and expressing his belief that it would be overturned on appeal.
However, Giuliani’s legal woes don’t end here. He faces over a dozen charges in a racketeering investigation brought by the Fulton County district attorney, specifically related to his attempts to subvert Georgia’s 2020 election. The numerous charges against him further highlight the severity of his actions.
Attorneys for Moss and Freeman brought attention to the wide-reaching impact of election lies and how they affected the lives of the two women. Estimates suggest that a strategic communications campaign to repair their reputations could cost an astonishing $47.4 million. They also presented evidence of violent and racist voicemails the victims received as a direct result of Giuliani’s false claims.
In defense of Giuliani, his attorney argued that while he did spread falsehoods about Moss and Freeman, others were also involved, suggesting that he should not bear the entire blame. However, the jury clearly held Giuliani accountable for his actions.
The trial occurred against the backdrop of upcoming elections, leading experts to hope that it will serve as a deterrent and hold individuals responsible for spreading false information about elections and those who administer them. The case stands as a powerful reminder of the consequences of defamation and the need for truth in the electoral process.
“Social media scholar. Reader. Zombieaholic. Hardcore music maven. Web fanatic. Coffee practitioner. Explorer.”