Unrepentant Giuliani pledges to appeal after $148M verdict against him for defaming Georgia election workers 

A federal jury has ruled that Rudy Giuliani must pay more than $148 million in damages to two former Fulton County election workers for falsely accusing them of voting fraud. The jury found Giuliani liable for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress, awarding Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, $33.2 million in compensatory damages, $40 million for intentional infliction of emotional distress, and $75 million in punitive damages.

The verdict stands as a significant victory for the two women who found themselves targets of false accusations by Giuliani, former President Donald Trump, and others. The allegations, which falsely accused them of ballot stuffing and other illegal acts on election night in 2020, had a profound impact on their lives, leading to death threats, racial harassment, and substantial emotional distress.

The women expressed relief after the verdict. Freeman stated outside the courthouse, “Today’s a good day. A jury stood witness to what Rudy Giuliani did to me and my daughter, and held him accountable.” Moss added, “We hope no one ever has to fight so hard just to get your name back.”

Giuliani, one of the most prominent defendants in the Fulton County election probe, announced that he would appeal the verdict. He criticized the awarded amount and expressed confidence that the case would be reversed on appeal saying, “The absurdity of the number merely underscores the absurdity of the entire proceeding. I am quite confident when this case gets before a fair tribunal, it’ll be reversed so quickly it will make your head spin.”

The false allegations against Freeman and Moss were part of a larger narrative spread by Giuliani, former President Donald Trump, and others, even after being debunked by state and federal investigators. The verdict comes amid Giuliani’s growing legal troubles, including criminal charges in Georgia, related to his efforts to aid Trump.

During the trial, Freeman and Moss testified about the emotional toll of the threats they faced, with Moss describing panic attacks, refusal to go out alone, and nightmares. The plaintiffs sought at least $48 million in compensatory damages, emphasizing the damage to their reputations and seeking additional damages for emotional distress and punitive damages.

Giuliani’s attorney acknowledged the harm to the women but argued that Giuliani was not responsible for racist harassment and death threats. The jury deliberated for more than ten hours before reaching their decision.This verdict is part of a broader effort to hold individuals and institutions accountable for spreading false voting fraud allegations about the 2020 election. Fox News, for instance, agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5 million for spreading false claims, and Freeman and Moss have already received a settlement from One America News. They also have a pending defamation lawsuit against the Gateway Pundit. Freeman emphasized that Giuliani was not the only one spreading lies about them, and others must be held accountable as well.

While the awarded damages may provide some measure of justice, the emotional and personal toll on Freeman and Moss remains. Freeman expressed satisfaction with the award but recognized that it could never fully rectify the damage done. She also spoke about the lasting negative consequences, stating that she can never return to the home she once called her own and will always need to be cautious about where she goes and with whom she shares her name.