The former New York City mayor and attorney to Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, has been ordered by a federal jury to pay $148 million in damages to two Georgia election workers he falsely accused of fraud.
Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, were each granted $20 million in damages for emotional distress, and $75 million in punitive damages, in addition to $16 million in defamation damages for Freeman and $17 million for Moss. Giuliani dismissed the figure as “absurd” and vowed to appeal the decision.
Both women issued statements expressing their gratitude for the jury’s decision, with Freeman saying, “Today’s a good day. A jury stood witness to what Rudy Giuliani did to me and my daughter and held him accountable and for that I’m thankful.” Moss added that they were “very grateful to the jury for taking the time out of their busy lives to do their civic duty to listen to everything that we’ve been going through” and hoped “no election worker ever experiences anything like what we went through.”
Giuliani’s attorney acknowledged the harmful effects of Giuliani’s statements on the pair during the trial’s closing argument while insisting that the jury take into account Giuliani’s lifetime of good deeds. Giuliani has thus far refused to turn over evidence that supports his allegations against Freeman and Moss. In a statement to the press, he disavowed any responsibility for the threats made to the women and complained about not being able to present evidence in his defense.
The financial award adds to Giuliani’s recent woes, which include a slate of legal issues and financial challenges due to his involvement in Trump’s post-election efforts. The recent verdict follows Giuliani’s law licenses being suspended in New York and Washington, D.C., and his ongoing fight against disbarment.
Giuliani’s reference has reported severe financial problems, following which he has refused to comply with previous court orders, citing lack of funds, without providing necessary financial documentation. He awaits trial alongside Trump and others in the case, in Georgia that accuses them of attempting to illegally overturn the state’s election results. Additionally, Giuliani faces lawsuits from Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems for his election claims, and from Hunter Biden over alleged computer fraud and the release of personal information. He was also sued by a former assistant who accused him of sexual assault, “unequivocally denies” said the aide to the former mayor.
Daniel Barnes reports for NBC News, based in Washington.
Ryan J. Reilly is a justice reporter for NBC News.
Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News.
Victoria Ebner contributed.