Iuliani’s election case goes to jury in Georgia
WASHINGTON — Jurors began deliberating Thursday to decide how much Rudy Giuliani must pay two former Georgia election workers for spreading lies about them that led to a barrage of racist threats and upended their lives.
Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, are seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages over Giuliani’s false claims accusing them of ballot fraud while the former New York City mayor was fighting to keep Republican Donald Trump in the White House after the November 2020 him. He says he isn’t sorry election won by Democrat and he’s telegraphing he will Joe Biden. do this again. Believe him.”
The potential hefty damGiuliani’s attorney ages come at the same time acknowledged that his client Giuliani is gearing up to was wrong, but insisted that defend himself against crim- he was not fully responsible inal charges stemming from for the vitriol the women his legal representation of faced. He sought to largely Trump. Giuliani’s lawyer pin the blame on a right- told jurors the damages the wing website that published women are seeking “would the surveillance video of the be the end of Mr. Giuliani.” women counting ballots.
In his closing argument, Gottlieb described Free- an attorney for Moss and man and Moss as “heroes,” Freeman highlighted how adding that “after every- Giuliani has not stopped thing they went through, repeating the false conspir- they stood up and said, ‘no acy theory asserting the more.’” He also read from workers meddled in the a chapter in Giuliani’s book 2020 presidential election. on leadership where the for- Attorney Michael Gottlieb mer mayor said his father played a video of Giuliani told him never to be a bully. outside the courthouse ear- The lawyer said: “If only Mr. lier this week repeating the Giuliani had listened.” false claims about his clients. “The lies in this case Giuliani had previously con- became a sustained, delib- ceded in court documents erate, viral campaign, the pur- that he made public com- pose of which was to overturn ments falsely accusing the an election and have these women of ballot fraud. statements rocket around
“Mr. Giuliani has shown the world millions and mil- over and over again he will lions of times,” Gottlieb said. not take our client’s names The women’s lawyers are out of his mouth,” Gottlieb asking for at least $24 million said. “Facts will not stop for each woman in defamation damages alone. They’re also seeking compensation for their emotional harm and punitive damages. Gottlieb asked the jury to send a message to other powerful people with the amount they award.
“Facts matter. Truth is truth and you will be held accountable,” he said.
Giuliani’s lawyer has said any award should be much less, describing the damages the women are seeking as the “civil equivalent of the death penalty.” Attorney Joseph Sibley told jurors they should compensate the women for what theyare owed, but urged them to “remember this is a great man.”
“I want you to send a message to America, we can come together in compassion and sympathy,” he said.
His lawyer has argued there is no evidence Giuliani himself encouraged the harassment. Sibley told jurors that right-wing website Gateway Pundit was “patient zero” in spreading the conspiracy theory about the women, and said Giuliani was sued because he is “patient deep pockets.”