Rudy Giuliani is set to appear in a Washington, D.C., federal courtroom Friday as a federal judge considers a request from two Georgia election workers to hold the former New York City mayor in contempt for allegedly continuing to defame them in violation of a court order.
A jury in 2023 awarded Ruby Freeman and daughter Shaye Moss $148 million to be paid by Giuliani for falsely claiming the pair engaged in a fake ballot processing scheme in Fulton County, Georgia, during the 2020 presidential election. The federal judge overseeing the case, Beryl Howell, determined Giuliani was liable for defaming Freeman and Moss after they became focal points of his unfounded claims.
Since the trial, Giuliani has appeared in several separate court proceedings about his ability to pay the fine.
On Monday, a federal judge in Manhattan held him in contempt for failing to turn over information about his assets to contribute to paying off the $148 million he owes. Court papers say he has handed over some possessions, including a car, but the court said he failed to give them access to his other assets and information. The litigation over his finances continues.
Ahead of Friday’s hearing in Washington, D.C., Giuliani asked to appear virtually, citing health problems and safety concerns. He ultimately withdrew that request after the judge appeared skeptical of his claims.