Rudy Giuliani avoids trial by settling with Georgia election workers he defamed
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Rudy Giuliani has successfully settled a defamation case with two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, bringing an end to the nearly $150 million lawsuit. The settlement ensures that Giuliani can retain his home and most valuable possessions, including a $3.5 million Florida condo and several New York Yankees World Series rings, which were at risk of being seized during the litigation.
The case stemmed from Giuliani’s false claims after the 2020 presidential election, when he was serving as a lawyer for then-President Donald Trump. Giuliani had accused Freeman and Moss of election fraud, leading to a public campaign that damaged their reputations. The women, who are mother and daughter, were targeted by Giuliani’s inflammatory rhetoric, causing them significant emotional and financial distress.
In a joint statement, Freeman and Moss expressed relief, stating, “The past four years have been a living nightmare. We have fought to clear our names, restore our reputations, and prove that we did nothing wrong.” They acknowledged the settlement as a major milestone, allowing them to move on with their lives. They agreed to let Giuliani retain his property in exchange for compensation and his promise never to defame them again.
Although Freeman and Moss had already been awarded many of Giuliani’s possessions—such as his $6 million Manhattan apartment, luxury watches, furniture, and baseball memorabilia—enforcing the collection of these items had been a struggle. Despite court orders, Giuliani had not complied with some of the directives, making it unclear whether the women would ever fully recoup their judgment.
Giuliani’s public statement on social media confirmed that he would retain all of his personal belongings that had been targeted by Freeman and Moss. He also stated that the settlement would not involve an admission of wrongdoing. “This resolution does not involve an admission of liability or wrongdoing by any of the Parties,” he wrote. He went on to express that the litigation had taken a toll on all involved, calling the situation “unfortunate.” Giuliani also emphasized that both sides had agreed to avoid any future defamatory statements.
Though Giuliani’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million, including his real estate holdings, the women were unlikely to recover the full $150 million judgment they had won. Despite this, their legal team, which worked pro bono, had already invested significant resources into the case, and court orders had demanded that Giuliani pay some of their legal fees.
Outside the courthouse on Thursday, Giuliani’s attorney, Joseph Cammarata, declined to provide details about the settlement, including whether any money was involved or if Giuliani received outside financial help. Cammarata, when asked about Trump’s involvement, quickly cut off the reporter, stating, “No comment on anything with the president. This is about America’s mayor.”
In the days leading up to the settlement, former President Trump had posted on social media urging his followers to “SAVE RUDY!!!” Giuliani, 80, has faced ongoing health struggles in recent months, and his appearances at court hearings have been marked by physical challenges. His legal troubles included being held in contempt of court twice by federal judges in the weeks leading up to the settlement.
Despite these legal setbacks, Giuliani remains active in political circles. He has announced plans to attend events surrounding Trump’s second presidential inauguration, even as he faces serious legal challenges. On Thursday, the same day his trial was supposed to begin, Giuliani posted a lighthearted video on social media featuring a small dog wearing a tie at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club. The video was accompanied by the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” with a playful caption about the dog’s enthusiasm for supporting Trump’s upcoming presidency.
The settlement allows Giuliani to avoid the trial, which could have resulted in significant financial losses and the loss of personal property. It also provides a sense of closure for Freeman and Moss, who have faced years of harassment and stress due to Giuliani’s defamatory claims.
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