Former federal prosecutor and New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been ordered pay two Georgia election workers $148 million. In August, a federal judge ruled Giuliani had defamed Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss after claiming they had engaged in a ballot fraud scheme in Fulton County, Georgia during the 2020 presidential election.
The jury’s financial judgement far surpassed the total damages claimed by Freeman and Moss, which were $23.9 million and $24.7 million respectively. Freeman was awarded $16,171,000 as compensation for the defamation charge, while Moss was awarded 16,998,000. An additional $20 million was awarded to each in compensation for emotional distress, while $75 million was awarded to both as punitive damages.
“Very little I can say right now,” Guiliani told press outside the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C on Friday, adding: “The absurdity of the number underscores the absurdity of the entire proceedings.” The former New York City Mayor called the threats made against Freeman and Moss “abominable” and “deplorable”, but insisted: “The comments they received, I had nothing to do with.” Giuliani said he intends to appeal and may even move for a new trial.
Giuliani – along with former President Donald Trump and 17 others – were indicted in Fulton County this summer.