Rudy Giuliani, former attorney for President-elect Donald Trump, finds himself facing intensified legal consequences as he was held in civil contempt for the second time within a week. The ruling stems from a $148 million defamation lawsuit brought by Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, who accused Giuliani of spreading false claims that subjected them to harassment and threats.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington found Giuliani in contempt for continuing to defame Freeman and Moss despite having agreed to stop such behavior. Howell issued a stern warning, threatening Giuliani with jail time if he defied court orders again. She also imposed a $200 daily fine for every day Giuliani failed to submit a court document acknowledging that his statements contradicted evidence and testimony presented during his 2023 civil trial. Giuliani has been given 10 days to comply.
“It is outrageous and shameful that Mr. Giuliani dares to suggest that he is the one who is being treated unfairly,” Judge Howell said during the ruling.
This contempt ruling follows another earlier in the week, issued by U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in New York. Liman ordered Giuliani to turn over high-value assets—including a Manhattan apartment, a Mercedes Benz once owned by Lauren Bacall, and an autographed Joe DiMaggio baseball jersey—to help satisfy the $148 million judgment. Despite the orders, Freeman and Moss have reported receiving no monetary payments from Giuliani. Court records indicate that Giuliani transferred the Mercedes without ownership titles, left his ex-wife’s name on the apartment deed, and failed to hand over the baseball jersey.
Freeman and Moss initially filed the lawsuit after Giuliani falsely accused them of engaging in voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election. He claimed the two were “passing around USB ports as if they’re vials of heroin or cocaine” while counting ballots at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. The women, who later testified before the U.S. House, clarified that they were passing ginger mints, not USB drives.
Despite the December 2023 judgment in favor of Freeman and Moss, Giuliani has reportedly continued to defame them on his podcast, America’s Mayor Live. According to court filings, Giuliani accused the women of “quadruple counting” votes as recently as November 2024. He dismissed an injunction prohibiting him from making such claims as “a little ridiculous” and reportedly declared, “to hell with it,” during a podcast episode.
Outside the courthouse on Friday, Giuliani lashed out at Judge Howell, describing her as “bloodthirsty” and accusing her of conducting a “clown show.” On social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Giuliani characterized the hearing as “a hypocritical waste of time” and criticized what he called a biased process.
“This was a farce,” Giuliani told reporters. “She put on an absolute farce and a clown show.”
Giuliani’s lawyer, Joseph Cammarata, argued that his client had made substantial efforts to comply with court orders. “There is no defiance to the court,” Cammarata said, maintaining that Giuliani had acted in good faith.
Legal experts, however, have highlighted the seriousness of Giuliani’s defiance. “He willfully refused to search for and produce documents that would have been responsive to the plaintiff’s request for production,” said Aaron Nathan, an attorney for Freeman and Moss, during the first contempt hearing.
The defamation case is just one in a series of legal battles confronting Giuliani. In addition to the defamation lawsuit, he faces criminal charges of election interference in Georgia and Arizona. Giuliani’s once-illustrious legal career has suffered significant blows, including disbarment in New York and Washington.
For Freeman and Moss, the legal battle is about more than monetary compensation. After enduring threats and harassment fueled by Giuliani’s false claims, the election workers have made it their mission to clear their names and hold him accountable. Nathan emphasized the ongoing impact of Giuliani’s actions, stating that his continued defiance has further victimized the plaintiffs.
Judge Howell’s remarks reflect broader concerns about the integrity of the legal system and the potential consequences of allowing prominent figures to evade accountability. “Such leniency, even in cases involving high-profile individuals, risks undermining public trust in the judiciary,” Howell said.
The dual contempt rulings against Giuliani mark a significant escalation in his legal troubles. As the daily fines and threat of jail time loom, Giuliani’s refusal to comply with court orders could result in more severe penalties. Meanwhile, Freeman and Moss remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice, serving as a poignant reminder of the lasting damage caused by falsehoods in a polarized political landscape.
As Giuliani’s legal battles intensify, the broader implications of his defiance underscore the importance of accountability and the rule of law. Whether he ultimately complies with the court’s demands or continues his combative approach, the case remains a critical chapter in the ongoing efforts to address misinformation and uphold justice.
