Rudy Giuliani’s attempt to dismiss the $148 million defamation judgment against him has been unsuccessful. The judgment was awarded to former Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss.
In her ruling on Monday, U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell dismissed Giuliani’s motion to reverse the previous findings and rulings and override the jury’s verdict. She stated that Giuliani’s arguments were weak and failed to convince that the evidence and reasonable inferences were so overwhelmingly in favor of the plaintiffs that a verdict couldn’t have been reached by reasonable people.
Giuliani accused the mother and daughter of engaging in election fraud while they were counting ballots in Fulton County, Georgia on Election Day in 2020.
“I have to be constantly cautious about my surroundings and the individuals I associate myself with,” Freeman expressed during a press conference following the court’s decision on the defamation case in December.
She expressed her desire to maintain anonymity because she was fearful of receiving threats. “I long for the days when I could use my real name,” she admitted.
“I am grateful that a jury witnessed the actions of Rudy Giuliani towards me and my daughter,” Freeman expressed. However, she emphasized that it is important for people to realize that money alone cannot resolve all of her problems.”
After losing the ruling, Giuliani took the step of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a New York court.
According to his bankruptcy petition, Giuliani stated that his net worth falls between $1 million and $10 million. However, he disclosed that he has a debt of over $151 million to multiple creditors.
According to a statement from Ted Goodman, a political adviser to Giuliani, the filing should come as no surprise.
In February, a bankruptcy judge granted Giuliani the right to appeal the judgment, which was subsequently reduced to nearly $146 million.
During the trial, investigators Frank Braun and Frances Watson, who were working with the Georgia Secretary of State at the time, clarified that Freeman and Moss went back to State Farm Arena on the evening of November 3, 2020. Their purpose was to assist in expediting the ballot counting process, as the secretary had extended the hours. This was in no way an attempt to manipulate or rig the votes, contrary to the claims made by Giuliani and others.
According to Braun, there was no indication that they engaged in any wrongdoing other than being present at work and diligently performing their duties.
