Rudy Giuliani's Legal Woes and the Defamation Verdict
In a shocking turn of events, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a close ally of ex-President Donald Trump, has been ordered to pay a hefty sum of $148 million in damages. This penalty comes after a jury in Washington, DC found him guilty of defaming two election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, who are both from Georgia.
The mother-daughter duo, who were election assistants during the 2020 presidential election, had garnered national attention due to false claims made by Giuliani. He falsely accused them of discarding ballots for former President Trump and counting fake ones for Democratic candidate Joe Biden. After the election, Freeman and Moss were subjected to threats and harassment due to their appearance in a circulated video.
In 2021, the two women testified before a congressional committee investigating the Capitol attack, sharing their harrowing experiences. Freeman expressed her fears, stating, "I don't want to go anywhere anymore. I question everything." Moss had also faced death wishes and threats. Thus, they decided to sue Giuliani for damages, accusing him of damaging their reputation and making racist threats against them.
Initially, the women had sought compensation of up to $43 million. However, the jury in Washington awarded them a significantly higher sum, surpassing their initial demand. The exact amount of the compensation has not been disclosed yet, but it is substantially higher than the $105 million difference between the initial claim and the actual penalty.
Rudy Giuliani's legal troubles extend beyond this defamation case. He has been charged with attempted election fraud, along with his Republican ally in Georgia. Despite these setbacks, Giuliani has maintained his stance, expressing no regret for his statements and insisting they are true.
Previously renowned for his role as the mayor of New York City following the September 11 attacks, Giuliani's reputation has taken a significant hit in recent years. His public appearances and actions have led to widespread criticisms and ridicule.
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