Rudy Giuliani Ordered to Pay $148 Million to Defamed Georgia Election Workers
Rudy Giuliani has been ordered by a federal judge to immediately pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers he defamed. The judge expressed concern that Giuliani may have been dishonest about his finances and raised doubts about his willingness to comply with the judgment.
This development comes as the latest twist in the defamation case filed by Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea "Shaye" Moss. Giuliani falsely claimed after the 2020 presidential election that they were involved in a fake ballot processing scheme while serving as election workers.
Giuliani Faces $100 Million Award in Defamation Case
Before the jury went into deliberations last week, Giuliani's attorney had claimed that paying the $48 million in damages initially requested by Freeman and Moss "will be the end" of him financially. Nevertheless, the jury came back with an award that was $100 million higher than they had sought.
Giuliani's attorney, Joe Sibley, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Despite the jury's decision, Giuliani had continued to air his election conspiracy theories targeting the two women. Three days after the defamation case concluded, Freeman and Shaye Moss filed a new complaint asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to permanently bar Giuliani from "persisting in his defamatory campaign" against them.
In the Wednesday ruling, Howell noted that she was waiving the standard 30-day waiting period to collect on the judgment. "Notably, though he regularly speaks publicly about this case, Giuliani has never denied that he has taken steps to hide his assets from judgment creditors, and has offered no affirmative pledge that he will take no steps to do so, including in the next 30 days," she noted.
Giuliani's net worth
About 15 years ago, the former public servant's net worth estimated at more than $50 million, with $15 million of that total from his business activities, including his work with lobbying firm Giuliani Partners.
However, there are indications that Giuliani's wealth has decreased since then. One example is his recent ventures, such as selling 9/11 shirts for $911 and offering video messages on Cameo for $325 each. However, his page on the site now states that Giuliani is no longer available for bookings.
Additionally, Giuliani is facing other financial difficulties. His longtime attorney is currently suing him, claiming that the former mayor owes nearly $1.4 million in legal fees. Furthermore, Giuliani listed his Manhattan apartment for sale earlier this year with an initial asking price of $6.5 million, although the price has since dropped to $6.1 million.
