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Rudy Giuliani Settles $146 Million Defamation Case with Georgia Election Workers

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NEW YORK, USA — Rudy Giuliani has reached a settlement agreement with Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, Georgia election workers who were awarded a $146 million judgment after successfully suing the former New York mayor for defamation.

The settlement was announced Thursday, January 16, 2025, hours after Giuliani failed to appear in federal court for a trial to determine whether his assets, including his Florida condominium and New York Yankees World Series rings, could be seized to satisfy the judgment.

“I have reached a resolution of the litigation with the Plaintiffs that will result in a satisfaction of the Plaintiffs’ judgment,” Giuliani said in a statement.

He emphasised that the settlement does not involve an admission of liability or wrongdoing.

Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss speak outside of the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. District Courthouse on December 15, 2023 in Washington, DC. | Alex Wong/Getty Images

Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss speak outside of the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. District Courthouse on December 15, 2023 in Washington, DC. | Alex Wong/Getty Images

Terms of the Agreement

While the exact terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, both sides confirmed that Giuliani would retain his properties in exchange for compensation and an agreement to refrain from defamatory statements against Freeman and Moss.

“No one deserves to be subjected to threats, harassment, or intimidation,” Giuliani said. “This litigation has taken its toll on all parties.”

Freeman and Moss, who have endured years of threats and harassment stemming from Giuliani’s false claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election, described the agreement as a “major milestone.”

“The past four years have been a living nightmare,” they said in a joint statement.

“We have fought to clear our names, restore our reputations, and prove that we did nothing wrong. Today, we can now move forward with our lives.”

Rudy Giuliani holds up a watch that he has not yet turned over while appearing remotely by video link as his attorney Joseph Cammarata questions him, during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in his case over the handover of property to two Georgia election workers he was found to have defamed, in New York City, U.S., January 6, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. | Jane Rosenberg/Reuters
Rudy Giuliani holds up a watch that he has not yet turned over while appearing remotely by video link as his attorney Joseph Cammarata questions him, during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in his case over the handover of property to two Georgia election workers he was found to have defamed, in New York City, U.S., January 6, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. | Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Background on the Case

Giuliani was found liable in December 2023 for defaming Freeman and Moss by falsely accusing them of committing election fraud in Georgia during the 2020 election.

A jury initially awarded the pair $148 million, later reduced to $146 million.

Freeman and Moss pursued legal actions to seize Giuliani’s assets, including cash, his car, his multimillion-dollar New York apartment, and other sports memorabilia, after he claimed financial hardship and declared bankruptcy.

Giuliani appealed the judgment but faced increasing legal pressures, including contempt of court rulings for failing to comply with court orders to provide information and continuing to defame the plaintiffs.

A Complex Legal Landscape

Thursday’s settlement also involves Andrew Giuliani, Rudy Giuliani’s son, who had intervened in the case, asserting ownership of the World Series rings his father had gifted him in 2018.

“Today is a good day,” Andrew Giuliani said after the settlement announcement.

Rudy Giuliani’s attorney, Joseph Cammarata, revealed that settlement negotiations had been ongoing for months but intensified in the 72 hours leading up to the deal.

Federal judges overseeing the related cases in New York and Washington have paused proceedings to allow the settlement’s terms to be fully implemented.

However, questions remain about the impact on pending rulings, including a contempt order requiring Giuliani to issue a sworn declaration about the lack of evidence for his election fraud claims.

Fallout and Moving Forward

Freeman and Moss’ case sparked additional legal challenges for Giuliani, including actions to prevent him from continuing defamatory statements.

“This whole episode was unfortunate,” Giuliani said.

“I and the Plaintiffs have agreed not to ever talk about each other in any defamatory manner, and I urge others to do the same.”

The settlement marks a significant chapter in Giuliani’s ongoing legal and financial troubles, underscoring the fallout from his role in promoting false narratives about the 2020 election.

The parties are expected to provide updates to the court in the coming weeks as they finalise the settlement.

Judge Lewis Liman has scheduled a follow-up hearing for March 3.

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