Former New York City mayor and Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has been ordered by a court to pay $150 million in damages to two Georgia election workers. This follows defamatory statements Giuliani made against them in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Judge Beryl Howell of the DC District Court has given immediate permission to the attorneys of Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman to begin attempting to collect Giuliani’s assets, which include properties in both New York and Florida.
According to court documents, Moss and Freeman’s team have identified that Giuliani’s New York co-op apartment is currently listed for sale at more than $6.1 million. Additionally, the attorneys have identified other assets Giuliani may have, including a recent deal with Newsmax to host a streaming show. Despite Giuliani’s claims of being broke, Moss and Freeman’s attorneys noted that Giuliani had support in recent months.
Giuliani’s refusal to comply with previous court orders and turn over evidence before trial has played a vital role in the latest ruling. It made it impossible for Moss and Freeman’s attorneys to properly test the veracity of Giuliani’s claims of having ‘financial difficulties.’ Despite repeatedly claiming he is broke, Giuliani still had support that accompanied him daily to trial – an inconsistency noted in the latest ruling.
The legal dispute arose after Giuliani accused the mother and daughter duo of ballot tampering in Georgia, which they say led to emotional and reputational harm, as well as danger to their safety. Giuliani was found liable for defamation against Freeman and Moss earlier this summer after failing to respond to parts of their lawsuit.
Giuliani’s legal troubles do not end here. He also faces similar lawsuits over his false allegations of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election, which have been dismissed in several states. The former mayor also faces a $1.3 billion defamation suit from Dominion Voting Systems, a company whose voting machines were at the center of much of Giuliani’s false claims.
Giuliani’s reputation appears to have taken a severe hit following his involvement in the events surrounding the 2020 election. The latest ruling constitutes a significant blow to his financial status, as well as his public image. There is no doubt that the future holds more legal challenges for this once-revered former mayor.