1 of 1 “Mugshot” of Rudolph Giuliani in the State of Georgia Photo: Reproduction/Portal “Mugshot” of Rudolph Giuliani in the State of Georgia Photo: Reproduction/Portal
Rudolph Giuliani, Donald Trump's former lawyer, was ordered to pay more than $148 million (R$730 million) in compensation to two former US election officials, according to a Washington Federal Court jury decision this Friday. fair (15). Giuliani defamed them with false accusations that they helped rig the 2020 election against Donald Trump in the state of Georgia.
The jury concluded that Giuliani must pay workers Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and her mother Ruby Freeman about $73 million to compensate them for the emotional and reputational harm they suffered, plus another $75 million US dollars (R370 million) as punishment for his behavior.
The verdict came after three days of testimony in which Moss and Freeman, who are Black women, recounted a barrage of racist and sexist messages, including lynching threats, that they received after Trump and his allies spread false claims that they were involved in election fraud.
“Today is a good day. A jury saw what Rudolph Giuliani did to me and my daughter and held him accountable. Others should also be held accountable,” Ruby told reporters outside the courtroom.
Rudolph Giuliani helped former Republican President Donald Trump advance his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
Before the trial, a federal judge ruled that Giuliani could be held liable for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy.
The only question before the jury was how much compensation would be awarded to Giuliani. The panel deliberated for more than ten hours before reaching a decision.
Giuliani announced that he would appeal the decision.
“The absurdity of the number just underlines the absurdity of the entire process,” he told reporters outside the courtroom.
“Mr. Giuliani thought he could make Ruby and Shaye the face of election fraud because he viewed them as ordinary and expendable,” Michael Gottlieb, the women's attorney, said during his closing argument.
“He has no right to offer defenseless officials to a virtual mob to overturn an election,” he added.
Joseph Sibley, Giuliani's lawyer, acknowledged that his client had caused harm but said the penalty sought by the plaintiffs at least $48 million would be “catastrophic” for his client. He told the jury that Giuliani was a “good man,” referring to his role as mayor of New York after the attack on the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001.
“Rudolph Giuliani should not be defined by recent events,” Sibley said in his closing argument.
Giuliani repeatedly made false claims that surveillance videos showed Moss and Freeman hiding and counting suitcases full of illegal ballots at an Atlanta basketball arena where votes were cast during the 2020 election.
According to a state investigation, the women processed the ballots legally and properly. Lawyers for the two women claimed the charges were part of a conspiracy involving Trump, his legal team and a rightwing media outlet to help Trump sow doubt in the election and overturn his loss to Democrat Joe Biden .
Trump also mentioned Freeman by name in a highly publicized phone call in January 2021 in which he pressured Georgia's top election official, Brad Raffensperger, to “find” votes to overturn his narrow defeat in the state.
The former mayor, who had said he would testify during the trial, ultimately chose not to testify. After the trial, he said his comments had “no connection” to the threats the two women had received.
Giuliani has faced a series of civil and criminal problems and mounting legal fees since he led Trump's efforts to overturn the election.
Giuliani was criminally charged in the Georgia racketeering case against Trump and several of his allies, including for attacks on Moss and Freeman. He pleaded not guilty.