NEW YORK – Former Trump campaign attorney Rudy Giuliani has filed for bankruptcy following a federal judge’s order to pay nearly $150 million in damages to two former Georgia election workers he defamed. The bankruptcy filing, submitted in New York, reveals that Giuliani is burdened with millions of dollars in debt from lawsuits, unpaid taxes, and outstanding legal fees. This comes after the judge ruled in favor of Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and Ruby Freeman, who sued Giuliani for spreading baseless claims about their involvement in election fraud.
Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, had criticized the defamation award as “absurd” and expressed optimism about overturning it on appeal. In his bankruptcy declaration, he listed “lawsuits” as his main source of debt, with liabilities ranging from $100,000,001 to $500 million. He reported assets worth between $1,000,001 and $10 million, along with nearly a million dollars in unpaid taxes and outstanding legal fees.
Although the defamation trial has concluded, the fallout from the case continues to haunt Giuliani. Moss and Freeman accused him of persistently making false statements about them, leading them to file another defamation lawsuit against him. They argue that Giuliani’s statements, coupled with his refusal to refrain from making further defamatory remarks, demonstrate his intent to engage in targeted defamation and harassment.
Throughout the trial, Moss and Freeman faced death threats, racist voicemails, and warnings from the FBI about potential danger to their lives. The women testified about fearing for their safety and the emotional toll the defamation had taken on them. The Georgia secretary of state’s investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by Moss and Freeman.
Giuliani’s bankruptcy filing marks a significant turn in the legal battle between him and the former election workers. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the bankruptcy proceedings will affect the ultimate resolution of the defamation claims against him.