Giuliani Faces Contempt Hearing After $148M Defamation Judgment

Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and personal attorney to Donald Trump, faces a contempt hearing on Friday in Washington, D.C.

A federal judge will determine whether Giuliani violated a court order by continuing to spread baseless claims about two Georgia election workers. The hearing follows a $148 million defamation judgment awarded to Wandrea "Shaye" Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, after a jury ruled that Giuliani's false accusations of election fraud led to threats and harassment against the pair.

Why It Matters

Moss and Freeman became targets of conspiracy theories promoted by Giuliani and others after the 2020 presidential election. These claims, later proven false, alleged the two women had committed voter fraud in Fulton County, Georgia. Testifying in court, Freeman described how her life changed dramatically, saying she had to flee her home after strangers showed up with bullhorns, and the FBI warned her of credible threats.

The jury's December 2023 verdict included $75 million in punitive damages and $73 million in other damages. Despite the judgment, Giuliani has continued to discuss the case publicly. Plaintiffs' attorneys have requested civil contempt sanctions, stating Giuliani's recent remarks in November podcasts violated the court's directive.

What We Know

Giuliani, 80, has cited health and safety concerns for his upcoming court appearance. In a filing, he claimed to receive death threats and expressed discomfort with traveling. Nevertheless, he plans to attend Friday's hearing before U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, scheduled for 10:30 EST.

Giuliani's defense argues there is no "clear and convincing" evidence that he breached the judgment's terms. His legal team insists that his comments did not violate any court orders and were made in good faith. If Howell rules against him, Giuliani would face a second contempt finding in less than a week.

A Host of Legal Challenges

Earlier this week, a New York federal judge found Giuliani in contempt for failing to provide court-ordered evidence in a separate legal matter related to his Palm Beach condominium and other assets. This could be his second ruling in the space of a week.

Adding to his financial challenges, lawyers for Moss and Freeman are pursuing Giuliani's personal items to fulfill the $148 million judgment.

These include three World Series rings commemorating New York Yankees victories in 1996, 1999, and 2000, which Giuliani claims to have given to his son in 2018. Plaintiffs argue that the transfer may have been fraudulent and are seeking a ruling on the matter in a trial set for January 16.

What People Are Saying

"Mr. Giuliani started lying about Plaintiffs in December of 2020, and refused to stop after repeatedly being told that his election-rigging conspiracy theory about Plaintiffs was baseless, malicious, and dangerous," attorneys for Moss and Freeman wrote in court filings.

Freeman told reporters after the Dec. jury verdict: "Money will never solve all my problems. I can never move back into the house that I call home. I will always have to be careful about where I go and who I choose to share my name with. I miss my home. I miss my neighbors, and I miss my name."

Giuliani has publicly dismissed the defamation case's outcomes, labeling the damages award an "absurd number" and predicting that the judgment will be overturned on appeal.

His spokesperson, Ted Goodman, framed the legal battles as an attack on Giuliani's legacy, saying, "They can never take away his extraordinary record of public service."

What's Next

The hearing on Friday will determine whether Giuliani faces further penalties for contempt, potentially adding to his growing legal woes. His financial troubles remain significant, with a Jan. 16 trial over contested assets––including the World Series rings and his Palm Beach property––looming on the horizon.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press