Rudy Giuliani has surrendered a collection of watches, a Mercedes-Benz, and funds from his Citibank accounts to two former Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, who won a $148 million defamation judgment against him. This follows a court order after Giuliani spread false claims about the women following the 2020 election. Despite missing an initial deadline, Giuliani complied after being threatened with contempt of court. He is appealing the ruling, claiming political persecution, and has declared bankruptcy to avoid payment. The case highlights the consequences of spreading disinformation.
Rudy Giuliani is embroiled in a $148 million defamation case involving election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, who claim he has not surrendered key possessions as ordered by the court. Among these is a signed Joe DiMaggio jersey, which Giuliani's lawyer says is in a Long Island storage facility that Giuliani cannot access. The plaintiffs have been unable to retrieve the items, and Giuliani has been accused of being evasive about his assets. The court has ordered Giuliani to cooperate in transferring the possessions, including a Mercedes and luxury watches.
Rudy Giuliani is set to appear in a New York City court to explain why he hasn't surrendered his assets as part of a $148 million defamation judgment awarded to two former Georgia election workers. The court appearance follows a missed deadline to hand over valuables, including his apartment and luxury items, after his residence was found nearly empty. Giuliani's legal team has unsuccessfully argued against surrendering his belongings while appealing the judgment, which stems from false election fraud claims he made against the workers.
Rudy Giuliani has not surrendered any valuables, including a Mercedes-Benz, as ordered by a federal judge to pay a $146 million judgment to defamed election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Moss. Despite being spotted in the car in Florida, Giuliani has not transferred any property to a receivership, prompting a judge to order his appearance in court. Giuliani's lawyer claims they are trying to comply, while Freeman and Moss's representatives allege evasive behavior. Giuliani's legal troubles stem from false claims made during efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Rudy Giuliani is required to appear in federal court after election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, whom he owes nearly $150 million for defamation, accused him of hiding assets. They found his Manhattan apartment mostly emptied of valuable items, which they are entitled to under a court order. Giuliani's lawyer claims the items are in a Long Island storage facility, but access has been difficult. The court is also considering the transfer of Giuliani's Palm Beach condo and other assets to the plaintiffs.
Joshua Russell, who made death threats against then-Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison. This comes after a separate individual was sentenced to three and a half years for making a bomb threat against Hobbs in 2021. The Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force has charged roughly 20 defendants for engaging in threats to the elections community, with seven federal cases involving out-of-state individuals making threats in Arizona. US Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that threatening violence against election workers will have consequences, and the Justice Department will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute such cases.
The Department of Justice is investigating dozens of threats made to election workers and has charged 20 individuals so far, with 13 of them being convicted. The DOJ official leading the Election Threats Task Force emphasized the seriousness of these threats, highlighting the significant prison sentences handed down to those convicted. The task force aims to proactively search for, investigate, and prosecute threats to election workers. The recent convictions include individuals who made threats against former Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, with one man sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for leaving threatening voicemails. The FBI reviews all reported communications, but for a communication to be considered a crime, it must include a serious expression of intent to commit an act of violence.
US election workers, particularly women and people of color, continue to face threats and harassment following the 2020 election. Resilience training sessions, led by former elections clerk Tina Barton, aim to help officials manage the ongoing stress and fear they experience. These sessions provide mental wellness tools and encourage officials to reflect on their reasons for staying in their roles. Despite the challenges, Barton aims to remind election workers that they are not alone and to help them renew their passion for public service.
Despite facing baseless attacks and threats, election workers in Fulton County, Ga., are still eager to serve, with some motivated by the abuse endured by two Black women falsely accused of election fraud in 2020. A survey found that more than half of election officials fear threats and intimidation will affect their ability to recruit for the 2024 election, but they are adapting by providing de-escalation training and mental health resources. Despite the challenges, Fulton County has filled all Election Day positions and is continuing to hire for early voting and reserve staff, with many individuals expressing a strong sense of duty and passion for participating in the electoral process.
Former President Donald Trump was captured on audio pressuring election workers in Michigan not to sign papers certifying the election results. The phone call, which took place on November 17, 2020, included Trump, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel, and two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers. Trump told the canvassers they would look "terrible" if they signed the papers to certify the election after having previously voted against certification. Trump's behavior mirrored his infamous call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, in which he pressured him to "find" additional votes.
Audio recordings obtained by The Detroit News reveal that former President Donald Trump pressured election workers in Michigan, including Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, to not sign papers certifying the election results. Trump and McDaniel offered to help the workers get lawyers and urged them to fight for the country. The call took place on November 17, 2020, and involved Trump, McDaniel, and two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers. This incident is reminiscent of Trump's call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, where he pressured him to "find" votes. The Michigan Bureau of Elections determined that the workers' signatures were not needed for certification.
Former New York City mayor and Donald Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after being ordered to pay $148 million in damages to two Georgia election workers who sued him for defamation. Giuliani estimates his liabilities to be between $100 million and $500 million. The bankruptcy filing reveals that he owes the IRS and the state of New York hundreds of thousands of dollars in income tax, as well as unspecified debts to Dominion Voting Systems, Smartmatic USA, and Hunter Biden. Giuliani's net worth has significantly declined, and he has resorted to selling merchandise and offering video messages for cash.
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani has been ordered by a federal judge to pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers he defamed, while simultaneously promoting unapproved supplements on his livestreamed program. The judge granted the workers' request to bypass the 30-day waiting period for enforcement due to Giuliani's history of concealing assets. Giuliani defended himself on his show, criticizing legal setbacks and claiming the Constitution was "raped" by judges. He also endorsed Balance of Nature supplements, despite FDA warnings, suggesting they be used as Christmas ornaments to "help me fight the traitors."
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been ordered by a judge to immediately pay $148 million in damages to two former Georgia election workers who sued him for defamation. The women accused Giuliani of spreading lies about them in 2020, leading to racist threats and harassment. The judge waived the usual 30-day period for payment, citing concerns that Giuliani may try to conceal his assets. The women have also filed another lawsuit against Giuliani, seeking a permanent ban on him speaking about them and accusing him of intentional infliction of emotional distress.
A judge has ruled that former Georgia election workers can immediately go after the assets of Rudy Giuliani, who was found liable by a jury for defamation related to false claims about the 2020 election.
