Atlanta, Georgia – A jury has awarded $148 million in damages to election workers in Georgia who were targeted by false claims made by Rudy Giuliani regarding the 2020 election. The workers filed a defamation lawsuit against Giuliani, the former lawyer for former U.S. President Donald Trump, and accused him of spreading lies about their role in the election.
The case centered around statements made by Giuliani during a November 2020 press conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington. Giuliani, who was leading Trump’s legal team at the time, alleged widespread voter fraud in Georgia, including false accusations against election workers.
During the trial, the plaintiffs presented evidence to disprove Giuliani’s claims. They argued that his false statements had damaged their reputations and caused emotional distress. The jury ultimately agreed, awarding each of the two plaintiffs $74 million in compensatory damages and $74 million in punitive damages.
Giuliani’s defense team argued that his statements were protected by the First Amendment and that he was merely expressing his opinion. However, the jury sided with the plaintiffs, ruling that Giuliani had crossed the line by making false and damaging statements about the election workers.
This verdict comes as part of a broader legal battle surrounding false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Multiple lawsuits have been filed by election workers, voting machine companies, and others targeted by falsehoods spread by Trump and his allies.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for future defamation lawsuits related to the election. Legal experts suggest that this substantial jury award may serve as a warning to others who spread false information without evidence.
In summary, a Georgia jury has awarded $148 million in damages to election workers who were falsely accused by Rudy Giuliani of participating in voter fraud during the 2020 election. This verdict highlights the potential consequences for those who spread baseless claims and further underscores the ongoing legal battle around false information regarding the election.