Rudy Giuliani Settles Defamation Case With Georgia Election Workers
Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and one-time personal lawyer to Donald Trump, has reached a settlement with two Georgia election workers he falsely accused of helping to “steal” the 2020 presidential election for Joe Biden, according to court records disclosed Thursday.
Giuliani Retains Palm Beach Condo and Manhattan Apartment
In a statement read by his lawyer, Giuliani confirmed that the settlement allows him to retain ownership of his Palm Beach, Florida condominium and his apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Other terms of the settlement were not immediately disclosed.
The resolution came on the same day a non-jury civil trial was scheduled to begin in Manhattan federal court before U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman.
Election Workers Sought to Seize Giuliani’s Assets
The plaintiffs, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea Moss, were seeking to enforce a $148 million judgment against Giuliani. Their claims included potential seizure of Giuliani’s Palm Beach condo and his three prized New York Yankees World Series rings. These assets, along with others Giuliani had already turned overāincluding a 1980 Mercedes-Benzāwould have been used to pay the damages awarded to the two women.
Giuliani had argued that his Palm Beach condo was his permanent residence and should be exempt. He also contended that the Yankees rings should not be taken because he had gifted them to his son, Andrew Giuliani.
Fallout From Defamation Claims
Freeman and Moss filed a defamation lawsuit against Giuliani in 2021, alleging he had falsely claimed that surveillance video showed them tampering with and counting illegal ballots during the 2020 election. A federal judge in Washington found Giuliani liable for defamation as a sanction after he failed to provide critical electronic records during the case.
Jurors in Washington ultimately awarded Freeman and Moss $73 million in compensation and $75 million in punitive damages. While Giuliani appeals the ruling, Freeman and Moss have pursued enforcement of the judgment in Manhattan courts.
History of Non-Compliance
Giuliani has faced multiple contempt of court citations related to this case. In January, Judge Liman held him in contempt for obstructing efforts by Freeman and Moss to determine his primary residence. Days later, Judge Beryl Howell in Washington also held Giuliani in contempt, citing his continued defamation of the women.
Giuliani had conceded in previous statements that his claims about Freeman and Moss were false and harmful to their reputations. However, he continues to challenge the contempt findings, arguing that he attempted to comply with court orders but was hindered by tight timelines.
Tarnished Legacy
Once celebrated as “America’s Mayor” for his leadership after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Giulianiās reputation has been severely diminished by his legal troubles and involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. He has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in multiple states related to his post-election actions.
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