Former Trump campaign lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani has been ordered by a federal jury to pay $148 million to two former Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. The lawsuit was filed after Giuliani accused them of manipulating ballots in the 2020 election, leading to violent threats against the two women.
A federal jury has ruled that Rudolph W. Giuliani, former lawyer for the Trump campaign, must pay $148 million in damages to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, two former Georgia election workers. This comes after Giuliani accused them of manipulating ballots in the 2020 election, resulting in violent threats against the two women.
Giuliani Found Liable for Defamation
Giuliani was found liable for defamation and conspiracy by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in August. The judge determined that Giuliani had engaged in a conspiracy with former President Trump, the Trump campaign, the television network OAN, and an OAN personality to defame Freeman and Moss. Giuliani had refused to participate in the pretrial discovery process, leading to the judge’s decision without a trial.
Emotional Testimony Reveals Impact on the Two Women
During the trial, Freeman and Moss delivered emotional testimony about how Giuliani’s false statements had upended their lives. They shared how they had to change their appearances, homes, and jobs to avoid the onslaught of violent and racist messages they received. Moss revealed that her son had failed his classes due to the hundreds of racist text messages he received. The women also recounted incidents such as break-ins and fears of harm.
Giuliani’s False Claims and Amplification of Misleading Video
Giuliani repeatedly claimed that Freeman and Moss had tampered with ballots to change the election results. He amplified misleading security video, falsely claiming it showed the women counting ballots after the process had officially concluded. He also accused them of passing a USB drive, likening it to “vials of cocaine or heroin.” However, the item in question was a ginger mint.
Threats and a Coordinated Effort
The jury heard hundreds of threats that Freeman and Moss received, presented by their attorney, Von DuBose. DuBose also presented a “strategic communications plan” from Giuliani that called for using the claims about Freeman and Moss to support efforts to overturn the 2020 election. This coordinated effort to defame the two election workers was a key part of the trial.
A Plea for Sympathy and Remembrance of Giuliani’s Past
During the trial, Giuliani’s lawyer urged the jury to have sympathy for Giuliani. He reminded them of Giuliani’s role as a unifying figure after the 9/11 attacks and asked them to judge him based on his entire character. However, Moss and Freeman’s attorney dismissed this plea, stating that Giuliani’s defense prioritized his reputation over the lives of the two women and the public confidence in democracy.
Implications for Trump’s Criminal Trials
Although this was a civil case, it provides a preview of the evidence and potential outcomes in the criminal trials of former President Trump, scheduled for 2024. Giuliani is believed to be an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal indictment and faces criminal charges in a separate case in Georgia related to his false statements about Freeman and Moss.
The damages awarded to Freeman and Moss highlight the serious consequences of spreading false information and engaging in defamation. The trial serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the truth and protecting the integrity of elections.
