Rudy Giuliani has lost his bid to dismiss the $148 million defamation judgment against him, which was won by former Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss. U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell stated that Giuliani’s arguments did not persuade the court to reverse its prior findings. Freeman expressed the fear of threats and the need to remain anonymous, despite being grateful for the jury’s verdict. Giuliani subsequently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing his net worth between $1 million and $10 million but claiming to owe more than $151 million to various creditors.
The bankruptcy judge ruled that Giuliani could appeal the judgment, which had been reduced to just under $146 million. Investigators from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office testified during the trial that Freeman and Moss had returned to State Farm Arena late on Election Day in 2020 to help expedite the ballot counting process, not to rig votes as Giuliani had alleged. They stated that there was no evidence to suggest any wrongdoing by the election workers, other than fulfilling their job responsibilities diligently. Giuliani has faced financial challenges as a result of the defamation judgment and subsequent bankruptcy filing.
The defamation case against Giuliani stemmed from his accusations of election fraud against Freeman and Moss while they were counting ballots in Georgia’s Fulton County. Freeman expressed her frustration with losing her anonymity and dealing with the fear of threats as a result of the case. She highlighted that money cannot solve all of her problems and emphasized the importance of people understanding the impact of Giuliani’s actions on her and her daughter. Giuliani’s bankruptcy filing and the subsequent proceedings have put a spotlight on his financial situation and the consequences of the defamation judgment.
Giuliani’s appeal to dismiss the defamation judgment was unsuccessful, leading to his decision to file for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy filing revealed details of his financial situation, including owing over $151 million to various creditors. Freeman and Moss have been vindicated by the jury’s verdict, which supported their innocence and hard work during the election counting process. The investigators who testified in the trial emphasized that there was no evidence of wrongdoing by the election workers, despite Giuliani’s allegations. The legal and financial repercussions of the defamation case have had a significant impact on both parties involved, highlighting the consequences of spreading false accusations.
