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A Georgia court has awarded two election workers $148 million in damages from former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in a defamation suit regarding his efforts contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election. The verdict awarded to Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman centered around allegations that they interfered in the vote count following the release of a controversial video of them in 2021.
As reported by News Nation, there was an audible gasp in the courtroom when the verdict was read awarding the women $75 million in damages with each being awarded an additional $36 million for “other damages.”
Giuliani, 79, a veteran attorney before and following his political career typically at ease in a courtroom was described as not showing emotion. Leaving the courtroom, he vowed to appeal the verdict telling reporters the “absurdity of the number merely underscores the absurdity of the entire proceeding.”
“It will be reversed so quickly it will make your head spin, and the absurd number that just came in will help that actually,” he said according to the outlet.
Giuliani in legal documentation conceded that he had accused the women of ballot fraud without proof, allegations which he has since repeated in different wording. However, his lawyer while acknowledging the defamation argued that Giuliani was not individually responsible for any harassment the women received.
The former mayor’s attorney argued that the exorbitant amount sought by the plaintiffs would ruin him financially. According to News Nation he said “it would be the end of Mr. Giuliani.”
CBS News reported that while his net worth may have been near $50 million in 2015, Giuliani has since faced financial trouble owing in excess of $4.4 million in legal fees and having recently placed his Manhattan apartment up for sale at $6.5 million
In addition to appealing the civil verdict, the much venerated Republican still faces a criminal prosecution in the same state alongside former President Donald Trump and 18 others in a case he described as politically motivated. He has plead not guilty in the charge of election interference as well.
Posting to X Thursday, Giuliani wrote, “Thank you to everyone who has reached out with support and encouragement this week. I thanked you last night, but I’m completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. I’ll always do the right thing. From the bottom of my heart—Thank you.”
Friday regarding the verdict he wrote on X, “The absurdity of the amount is indicative of the absurdity and unfairness of the entire proceeding. It bore no resemblance to a trial in a country with the rule of law. I wasn’t able to offer any evidence in my defense. We’ll have more to say and look forward to the appeal.”
The absurdity of the amount is indicative of the absurdity and unfairness of the entire proceeding.
It bore no resemblance to a trial in a country with the rule of law. I wasn’t able to offer any evidence in my defense. We’ll have more to say and look forward to the appeal.
— Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) December 15, 2023