One-liner
A jury ordered Rudy Giuliani to pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers for defamation related to false voter fraud claims after the 2020 presidential election.
Synopsis
Background and Verdict
A federal jury in Washington, D.C., after approximately 10 hours of deliberation, found Rudy Giuliani, former President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, liable for defaming two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss. The jury awarded an astounding $148 million in damages—significantly more than the plaintiffs had sought—based on emotional testimony concerning threats and distress they experienced following Giuliani's baseless allegations of election fraud after the 2020 presidential election.
The Trial and Damages
The case involved accusations of a fake ballot processing scheme by Freeman and Moss. Giuliani was previously determined by a federal judge to be liable for defamation. Compensation was broken down into compensatory damages for defamation and emotional distress, as well as punitive damages. Giuliani's response to the verdict was one of defiance, vowing to appeal and calling the process absurd.
Impact on Freeman and Moss
The jury heard intense testimonies from Freeman and Moss, who detailed significant alterations to their lives, including receiving racist threats, job impacts, and severe emotional trauma. An investigation by the Georgia secretary of state later found the allegations against them to be unsubstantiated and without merit.
Key quotes
- "The absurdity of the number merely underscores the absurdity of the entire proceeding." - Rudy Giuliani on the jury's verdict.
- "Every single aspect of my life has changed." - Wandrea "Shaye" Moss on the consequences of the defamation.
- "Rudy Giuliani shouldn't be defined by what's happened in recent times." - Joe Sibley, Giuliani's defense attorney, during the trial.
Make it stick
- The unprecedented $148 million penalty reinforces the gravity of defamation and the repercussions for public figures spreading falsehoods.
- "Emotional testimony yields a monumental verdict": Freeman and Moss's personal accounts resulted in a judgment far exceeding their initial claims.
Talking points
- Did you know that Giuliani's condemnation for defamation was decided based on emotional harm and distress as well as the act of defamation itself?
- Giuliani remains defiant even after the verdict, insisting upon the baselessness of the award amount and the proceeding, and he plans to appeal.
- The case offers a stark example of how misinformation can escalate and impact individuals' lives, as seen with Ruby Freeman and her daughter, post-202
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