Rudy Giuliani has filed an appeal against a jury’s decision. The judge ordered him to pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers for defaming them after the 2020 election. However, just days after the verdict in December, Giuliani declared that he was bankrupt.
The Result of Filing For Bankruptcy
This action halted the Georgia election workers’ case and their pursuit to collect a substantial sum from the ex-New York City mayor, who previously served as personal attorney to former President Donald Trump.
Source: NationWorldNews/Pinterest
Several hours after the bankruptcy judge lifted the freeze on the defamation case, Giuliani’s attorney was able to resume representation. He used the opportunity to submit his notice of appeal formally on Tuesday evening.
$148 Million Penalty
We greatly appreciate the prompt attention the judge gave to this issue. We anticipate moving forward as per the ruling,” Ted Goodman stated. Goodman, the adviser to Giuliani, mentioned this in an earlier statement he made after the decision of the bankruptcy judge.
Source: RudyGiuliani/Instagram
A jury composed of eight Washington, D.C., residents has mandated Rudy Giuliani to pay $148 million. He is to make this payment to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, two election workers.
Why Did Rudy Giuliani Get Sued?
Rudy is to pay them this amount of money because he made them the focal point of a campaign’s baseless claims. He started a voter fraud allegation after the 2020 presidential election.
Source: RudyGiuliani/Instagram
Giuliani propagated untruths alleging the involvement of the mother-daughter pair in extensive voter fraud. This allegation largely centered on video evidence capturing their activities at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on election night.
Consequences of Rudy Giuliani’s Deeds
After a four-day trial, during which Freeman and Moss, the election workers, both testified, the verdict was reached. They extensively explained to the jurors how a barrage of racist and violent threats disrupted their lives.
Source: Instagram.com/Pinterest
They experienced these after the accusations from Giuliani and other Trump allies. Freeman and Moss’s legal team expressed confidence that the verdict in their favor would stand without being overturned.
Court Proceedings
Giuliani also renewed his motion for judgment as a matter of law on Tuesday. He addressed this to the judge overseeing the recent trial. He maintains that the statements under scrutiny were protected opinions under the First Amendment and were not made with actual malice.
Source: TwistedSinners/Pinterest
Previously, the judge rejected these assertions. He also rejected Giuliani’s argument that the election workers’ expert testimony was inadmissible.
The Judge’s Decision
Rudy Giuliani’s attorney, Joseph Sibley, argued in court filings that the testimony should have been struck. He also said the jury should have been instructed to disregard it. Sibley alternatively requested a new trial for his client. He requested this after citing errors in the handling of expert testimony and the resulting damages awarded for reputation injury.
Source: TwitterInc./Pinterest
Before the trial, Giuliani was found liable by default in the case due to his failure to provide discovery. The jury merely decided the amount Giuliani must pay.
Giuliani Reiterates His Accusations
Giuliani commented on the verdict. He highlighted the perceived absurdity of the amount and repeated his baseless claims about the two women involved. “The absurdity of the number really underscores the absurdity of the entire proceeding,” Giuliani said.
Source: TrendMagazin/Pinterest
The potential amount the mother-daughter duo could recover from Giuliani remains uncertain, even if his appeal fails.
Rudy Giuliani’s Long List of Creditors
Freeman and Moss hold the most significant stake among a prominent list of creditors in the former Trump attorney’s unfolding bankruptcy proceedings.
Source: DailyMail/Pinterest
The remaining creditors primarily consist of individuals and businesses who have initiated legal action against Rudy Giuliani. One of these creditors is Hunter Biden, the president’s son. Other creditors are voting equipment firms Smartmatic and Dominion. Also on this list of creditors are Giuliani’s former legal representatives. They are suing him for unpaid legal fees.
His Attorney’s Payment Plan
On Tuesday, Giuliani filed an appeal after his bankruptcy judge authorized a payment plan for Sibley to continue representing him.
Source: Ivy/Pinterest
According to a sworn declaration, Sibley consented to receive a fixed fee of $50,000 from two third-party funds allocated to support Rudy Giuliani’s legal battles for the appeal process. Giuliani is also prohibited from personally providing the funds to safeguard his assets for the election workers and other creditors.