US Judge Finds Rudy Giuliani Liable : Beryl Howell, a U.S. District Judge, ruled that Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s lawyer for the 2020 election, slandered Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, who work for the Georgia election board. Judge Howell’s ruling allows the case to proceed for determining the damages. Giuliani must pay Freeman’s legal fees of around $89,172, with his businesses owing an additional $43,684. Giuliani admitted to making false statements about election workers but sought case dismissal.
Giuliani admitted that he made false claims about Freeman and Moss last month, saying they messed up the 2020 election at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. On December 10, 2020, Giuliani claimed that workers illegally counted 12,000 to 14,000 votes and shared USB ports like drugs. Freeman and Moss clarified they were passing ginger mints, not USB ports.In Dec. 2021, Freeman and Moss sued Giuliani and others for slander. This occurred after Giuliani’s claims and Trump and Raffensperger discussed Freeman’s name 18 times on January 2, 2021. During the call, Trump asked Raffensperger to “find” enough votes to win.
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Freeman and Moss claim Trump fans made violent threats against them in court. I feel unsafe everywhere. Freeman said, “Nowhere.” They vowed to keep fighting to clear their names and hold the slanderers accountable.Judge Howell ruled that Giuliani’s attempt to evade providing evidence in the civil case was incorrect. She said Giuliani’s conditions were full of holes, and she found him guilty of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, civil conspiracy, and punitive damage claims. Howell asked Giuliani for financial papers by September 20, including net worth details.
Ted Goodman, Giuliani’s adviser, wants to change the decision. He said Giuliani is wrongly blamed for not keeping electronic proof the FBI had taken and held. Goodman said, “This 57-page opinion shows how the justice system is becoming a weapon, where the process is the punishment.”The case adds to the complex 2020 U.S. Presidential race. Giuliani, a former NYC mayor and federal prosecutor, risks losing money and his reputation. The decision allows Freeman and Moss to repair their reputations, but more work remains.
