In the wake of a stunning jury verdict ordering former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani to pay $1.3 million in damages to two Georgia election workers he falsely accused of election fraud, a pressing question remains: Will Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss ever see any of that money?
The jury’s decision – hailed as a resounding vindication by Freeman and Moss’s lawyers – was certainly a symbolic victory. Yet collecting on such a massive judgment is rarely straightforward, especially when the losing party vows to appeal and claims limited funds, as Giuliani has done.
“We plan to ensure that Moss and Freeman see every bit of money that Mr. Giuliani has available to him, to pay and satisfy this judgment,” said attorney John Langford in a CNN interview. Langford stated they would aggressively pursue all of Giuliani’s assets, though acknowledged the total dollar figure was unlikely to be realized.
According to legal expert Ryan Goodman, Freeman and Moss may collect only a fraction of the award – perhaps a few million dollars depending on Giuliani’s resources. Unlike Alex Jones – the conspiracy theorist ordered to pay nearly $1 billion to Sandy Hook victims’ families – Giuliani cannot readily seek bankruptcy protection to avoid compensating Freeman and Moss.
Still, the jury’s unequivocal condemnation of Giuliani’s “Big Lie” rhetoric and willful defamation of election workers represented a symbolic triumph. “I can never move back into the house that I called home,” Freeman told reporters, describing permanent changes to her life due to relentless harassment by election deniers. “I miss my home. I miss my neighbors and I miss my name.”
Giuliani Doubles Down on Falsehoods, Vows Appeal
In remarks outside the Washington D.C. courthouse, an defiant Giuliani stood by his debunked claims against Freeman and Moss and derided the jury’s damages total.
“The absurdity of the number underscores the absurdity of the entire proceedings,” he asserted. Giuliani offered no evidence to support his allegations, which have been thoroughly investigated and dismissed by state officials.
Giuliani’s lawyer Alina Habba likewise criticized the verdict as “outrageous and unjust” while confirming plans to appeal. Some legal experts view the appeal as a delay tactic amid Giuliani’s financial woes rather than harboring realistic hopes of overturning the outcome.
“We all know he’s not going to be able to afford that even if they garnish his wages, but it’s vindication for the plaintiffs, certainly,” said Ken Frydman, a former Giuliani campaign spokesman.
What Assets Could Potentially Be Seized to Pay the Judgment?
As Freeman and Moss’s legal team pursues enforcement of the judgment, Giuliani’s financial standing remains opaque. Court filings have revealed debts exceeding $1 million owed to various law firms stemming from his election-related lawsuits. Additionally, Giuliani stopped paying a longstanding $60,000 phone bill years ago after racking up huge overages through constant media appearances.
However, Giuliani has demonstrated ability to tap his Trump-world connections when money gets tight. For instance, Trump helped raise funds for Giuliani’s legal defense fund after the FBI raided his home and office. And a political action committee bankrolled his travel via private plane this summer when Giuliani was criminally charged over election meddling in Georgia.
One potential Giuliani asset to offset the judgment is his Upper East Side apartment in Manhattan, which he listed for sale earlier this year with an asking price of $6.1 million. Whether that property or other holdings could be seized may hinge on the outcome of expected legal wrangling over bankruptcy protection and enforcing such a sizable award.
Election Heroes Finally Have Their Day in Court
For Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the two everyday election workers thrust into the national spotlight, the jury’s decision caps a three-year nightmare of threats, harassment and accusations by pro-Trump conspiracy theorists.
It all started when Giuliani and Trump fixated on a debunked video claiming to show Freeman and Moss engaged in fraudulent ballot counting at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. Giuliani promoted the false allegations in TV appearances, podasts, and ultimately to legislators during 2020 election challenges.
Soon after, Moss and Freeman endured chilling threats from Trump supporters who showed up at their homes demanding they confess. Fearing for their safety, they went into hiding for months as armed protesters descended on their neighborhoods.
While the judgment may ease their financial hardships after losing jobs and racking up therapy bills, it cannot fully undo the damage to their lives. Yet Moss and Freeman expressed optimism that the verdict sends a message reinforcing the integrity of America’s election system.
“I knew the truth was going to come out,” Freeman told reporters. “I knew that I had confidence in the truth.” With Giuliani’s lies now resoundingly rejected in court, perhaps faith in elections – and facts – can slowly be restored.
