On Dec. 14, Rudy Giuliani’s attorney said the requested damages were ‘catastrophic’ and part of a ‘Hollywood-type damage model.’
WASHINGTON—A jury said on Dec. 15 that former Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani should pay two former Georgia election workers $148 million for defaming them during the 2020 presidential election.
The verdict came roughly four days after the jury entered deliberations and represents a hefty punch to Mr. Giuliani, who is reportedly already facing financial troubles. Plaintiffs had asked for at least $48 million in reputational damages while not specifying an amount for punitive damages and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Jurors ultimately awarded former election worker Ruby Freeman $16,171,000 for compensatory damages related to defamation and $20 million for emotional distress. The punitive damages, which are intended to send a message in especially bad cases, reached $75 million for both. Ms. Freeman’s daughter, Shay Moss, was awarded $16,998,000 in compensatory damages for defamation and $20 million for emotional distress.
The judge seemed toexpress shock at the full amount, noting it didn’t include the more than $200,000 Mr. Giuliani was ordered to pay in the case.
Mr. Giuliani’s trial lasted for four days and focused on the amount he should pay rather than establishing whether his statements in December 2020 were defamatory. U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell told the jurors that for the verdict, they were to assume that Mr. Giuliani defamed the former election workers and had no legal right to do so.
The election workers had been identified in a video clip that became widely circulated after the 2020 general election. In it, they are seen allegedly mishandling ballots. An investigation by the Georgia Elections Board later cleared Ms. Freeman and Ms. Moss of wrongdoing, but the two women said the damage had been done.
Judge Howell issued a default judgment against Mr. Giuliani in August after he failed to produce documents and other information requested by the plaintiffs’ attorneys. Mr. Giuliani also opted not to contest allegations that he made false and defamatory statements about the election workers.
By Sam Dorman
