Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, is facing legal troubles as he is set to appear in a Washington, D.C., federal courtroom on Friday. The court will consider a request from two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss, to hold Giuliani in contempt for allegedly continuing to defame them in violation of a court order.
The legal battle between Giuliani and Freeman and Moss stems from the 2020 presidential election in Fulton County, Georgia. Giuliani falsely claimed that the pair engaged in a fake ballot processing scheme, leading to a defamation trial in 2023. A jury awarded Freeman and Moss $148 million in damages to be paid by Giuliani for his unfounded claims.
The federal judge overseeing the case, Beryl Howell, held Giuliani liable for defaming Freeman and Moss after they became the targets of his baseless accusations. Since the trial, Giuliani has been involved in several court proceedings regarding his ability to pay the hefty fine.
In a separate case in Manhattan, a federal judge held Giuliani in contempt for failing to provide information about his assets to contribute to paying off the $148 million judgment. While Giuliani has handed over some possessions, including a car, the court ruled that he had not fully disclosed all of his assets. The legal battle over his finances is ongoing.
Ahead of the upcoming hearing in Washington, D.C., Giuliani initially requested to appear virtually due to health concerns and safety reasons. However, he later withdrew that request after the judge expressed skepticism about his claims.
Last year, Freeman and Moss alleged that Giuliani had continued to defame them in violation of the court order. They claimed that Giuliani made false statements on broadcast shows, alleging that video footage showed them engaging in fraudulent behavior during the election. Despite being held liable previously, Giuliani repeated the same lies, prompting the women to take legal action.
According to court documents, Giuliani made statements on a broadcast in November 2024, where he defended his claims by stating, “I’m sorry they’re going to sue me again for saying it, but what am I going to do but tell the truth?” The women’s attorneys argued that Giuliani’s statements violated the court order to stop repeating defamatory remarks.
Giuliani and his legal team disputed the latest claims, arguing that Freeman and Moss had not provided clear and convincing evidence of a violation. They claimed that Giuliani had substantially complied with the consent judgment since its entry and that his statements lacked context.
The attorneys for Freeman and Moss countered these arguments, urging the court to hold Giuliani accountable for any future violations and impose fines for similar conduct. Throughout the trial that resulted in the $148 million judgment, jurors heard directly from Freeman and Moss, who refuted Giuliani’s claims and sought justice for the harm caused by his false accusations.
The upcoming court hearing in Washington, D.C., will determine whether Giuliani will be held in contempt for continuing to defame Freeman and Moss in violation of the court order. The legal battle between the former mayor and the Georgia election workers highlights the consequences of spreading misinformation and the importance of upholding the rule of law in defamation cases. As Giuliani faces the repercussions of his actions, the outcome of the hearing will have significant implications for the future of the legal proceedings and the pursuit of justice for Freeman and Moss.
