Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has officially paid the $148 million judgment against him for defaming two Fulton County election workers. The lawsuit was filed by Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, after Giuliani falsely accused them of tampering with votes in Georgia during the 2020 presidential election.
A jury found Giuliani guilty of defamation in 2023 and ordered him to pay the massive sum in damages. However, the legal battle did not end there. In January 2024, while working on a settlement agreement, Giuliani was twice held in contempt by federal judges for failing to turn over certain possessions and for continuing to spread false claims about Freeman and Moss.
According to court records, the case was dismissed on Monday after it was confirmed that Giuliani had fulfilled his financial obligations to the two election workers. The former Trump lawyer started surrendering assets shortly after the jury’s decision in December 2024.
As part of the settlement agreement reached last month, Giuliani was able to keep his Florida condo and his prized World Series rings. However, he agreed to stop making false statements about Freeman and Moss. Notably, the settlement did not require him to admit guilt.
Giuliani’s legal troubles have severely impacted his career. He was disbarred in both New York and Washington, D.C., due to his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in favor of former President Donald Trump. Losing his law license effectively ended his ability to practice law.
Despite his legal setbacks, Giuliani’s representative, Ted Goodman, defended the former mayor’s legacy. In a statement last month, Goodman said that while Giuliani’s possessions may have been taken, “they can never take away his extraordinary record of public service.”
This case marks a significant legal and financial defeat for Giuliani, who once enjoyed a strong reputation as “America’s Mayor” for his leadership following the 9/11 attacks. However, his involvement in Trump’s election fraud claims has led to serious legal consequences, including financial ruin and professional disbarment.
With the defamation case now resolved, Giuliani must focus on rebuilding his personal and financial standing while adhering to the terms of his settlement agreement.
