Rudy Giuliani has reached an agreement to no longer publicly accuse Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, of tampering with votes in the 2020 election. This false accusation led to Giuliani’s bankruptcy and a years-long legal battle with the election workers. The agreement stipulates that Giuliani will be permanently enjoined from making any statements that suggest the women engaged in wrongdoing in connection with the election. This gives Freeman and Moss the power to hold Giuliani accountable if he repeats potentially defamatory statements against them.
Attorneys for Freeman and Moss stated that the agreement allows them to take Giuliani to court immediately if he continues to make false statements about them. The agreement also puts an end to Giuliani’s efforts to profit from lies about the election workers, as their attorney Michael Gottlieb noted. Giuliani has faced significant legal challenges related to his actions during the 2020 election, including criminal charges in Georgia and Arizona, as well as being suspended from practicing law. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases and is currently in Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy.
Freeman and Moss had previously sued Giuliani for defamation and won a $148 million judgment, which Giuliani has not begun to pay off. The trial shed light on the harassment election workers faced while false claims about the election were spread by prominent Trump supporters. The agreement with Giuliani could potentially provide some relief for Freeman, Moss, and others pursuing their claims against him. The federal judge overseeing Giuliani’s defamation trial would be able to take any necessary steps to prevent him from potentially defaming the women in the future.
Giuliani’s spokesperson has not provided a comment on the agreement, and there is still a judicial approval process that needs to take place. The agreement also includes Freeman and Moss dropping a second lawsuit they had filed against Giuliani on the same day they won the initial judgment against him. The ongoing legal battles and financial challenges faced by Giuliani highlight the consequences of making false statements and spreading misinformation about the election. The resolution with the election workers serves as a significant step towards accountability for Giuliani’s actions.
