By Aaron Miller-
Rudy Giuliani,(pictured) former confidant of Donald Trump, steps into the spotlight for a defamation damages trial.
The courtroom is poised to weigh the financial consequences Giuliani must bear for his alleged smearing of two election workers from Georgia, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and Ruby Freeman, in the aftermath of the contentious 2020 election.
U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell has found him liable for defaming two Georgia election workers — Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss — who faced threats and harassment after Giuliani and Donald Trump falsely accused them of manipulating ballots after the 2020 election
Despite Giuliani’s previous defamation liability, the courtroom is now tasked with determining the extent of monetary damages.
The stakes are undeniably high, with the plaintiffs seeking a substantial sum ranging from $15.5 million to a staggering $43 million.
Moss and Freeman, former election workers thrust into the national spotlight, contend that Giuliani’s unfounded claims of ballot tampering in Georgia subjected them to emotional turmoil and endangered their safety.
The trial, a spectacle in its own right, will unveil Giuliani’s defense, as he contends that his statements were protected speech and caused no tangible harm.
However, the trial’s narrative extends beyond the individual actions of Giuliani.
It serves as a prelude to the impending criminal charges faced by Donald Trump in the same courthouse, intertwining the legal fate of the former President, his legal team, and campaign with Giuliani’s defamation case.
Giuliani’s financial hardships, a subplot in this legal epic, were highlighted in court. Facing the mounting costs of multiple legal challenges, Giuliani has purportedly found himself cash-strapped, prompting him to list his opulent 3-bedroom Manhattan apartment for sale at a hefty $6.5 million.
Apparently, the IRS has put a lien on his property in Palm Beach, Florida, though advisor Ted Goodman said in a statement Thursday that Giuliani, “through his accountant, has a formal agreement with the IRS to pay off the liability.”
Giuliani has been financially hit hard for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 vote count, and had his electronics seized by federal investigators for a separate (now closed) probe in April 2021, which the attorney has said in court filings resulted in him having to pay high fees to the vendor, Trustpoint, that’s hosting his data from the seized devices
The court has rebuffed his complaints of being victimized by litigation costs, emphasizing accountability in the face of alleged wrongdoing.
The trial is not expected to merely dissect the defamation allegations, but also scrutinize the broader landscape of post-election disputes, adding yet another chapter to Giuliani’s tumultuous legal odyssey.