Atlanta, Georgia – Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has filed an appeal in the defamation case brought against him by two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. The case revolves around Giuliani’s false allegations that Freeman and Moss were involved in election fraud during the 2020 presidential election. The appeal comes after a jury awarded the women $148 million in damages in a trial held in December 2023.
Giuliani’s political advisor, Ted Goodman, expressed gratitude for the judge’s swift consideration of the appeal. However, lawyers for Freeman and Moss are confident that the verdict will not be overturned. This latest twist in the case adds to the ongoing legal battle that began shortly after the election.
It all started on election night 2020 when Freeman and Moss were responsible for counting absentee ballots at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. A month later, Giuliani unveiled snippets of security footage to a Georgia Senate panel, alleging that the footage showed the workers illegally counting fake ballots. However, FBI and state investigators reviewed the footage and interviewed witnesses, ultimately finding no evidence of impropriety.
Despite the lack of evidence, Giuliani, along with former President Donald Trump and others, continued to spread false allegations in an effort to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in Georgia. These lies had a profound impact on Freeman and Moss, who received numerous threats. As a result, Freeman had to flee her home and close her online business.
Freeman and Moss decided to take legal action against Giuliani and One America News Network (OAN) for defamation. OAN settled with the women, while Giuliani failed to contest their claim that he made false statements about them. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell issued a default judgment against Giuliani after he repeatedly ignored court orders to produce evidence.
During the trial, Freeman and Moss detailed their harrowing experience, leaving a lasting impression on the jury. Giuliani did not testify, with his attorney arguing that while harm was done to the women, Giuliani should not be held responsible for the harassment they endured. The jury awarded $33.2 million in compensatory damages for defamation, $40 million for inflicting emotional distress, and $75 million in punitive damages to deter Giuliani and others from spreading falsehoods.
Following the verdict, Giuliani filed for bankruptcy in New York, listing debts of up to $500 million. He was granted permission to appeal the defamation verdict, but he cannot finance the appeal himself, and anyone who does fund it will not have a claim on his assets.
Giuliani also faces charges in the Fulton County election interference case for his alleged involvement in attempting to overturn the election. Meanwhile, Freeman and Moss still have a defamation lawsuit pending against online publication Gateway Pundit.
The appeal in the defamation case prolongs the legal battle between Giuliani and Freeman and Moss, who seek justice and hope to hold him accountable for the false allegations that have upended their lives.