Former President Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani has been hit with a $148 million verdict for defaming two Georgia election workers during the 2020 election.
A federal jury in Washington, D.C., found that Giuliani made false and malicious statements about Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, who were counting ballots in Fulton County, Georgia. Giuliani accused them of committing election fraud and manipulating votes for President Joe Biden.
The jury awarded Freeman and Moss $74 million each in compensatory and punitive damages, after finding that Giuliani’s statements caused them severe emotional distress, reputational harm, and financial losses.
The verdict is a major blow for Giuliani, who is also facing criminal charges in New York and Georgia for his dealings with Ukraine. He has denied any wrongdoing and has said that he is being protected by the First Amendment.
Giuliani’s lawyer, Robert Costello, said that he will appeal the verdict and that he expects it to be overturned. He said that Giuliani was exercising his right to free speech and that he was acting in good faith as Trump’s legal adviser.
Freeman and Moss’s lawyer, L. Lin Wood, said that he was pleased with the verdict and that he hopes it will deter others from spreading lies and misinformation about the election. He said that Freeman and Moss were brave and patriotic citizens who did their job with integrity and professionalism.
(With inputs from agencies)
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