Rudy Giuliani was ordered to pay $148 million in damages to two election workers he defamed, highlighting the consequences of false accusations.
The defamation case against Giuliani utilized evidence of threats and harassment to demonstrate the significant impact of false accusations on the plaintiffs' lives.
Deep dives
Falsely Accused Latino Couple in a Karen Phenomenon
In December 2020, a Latino couple was falsely accused by a white mom of attempting to kidnap her children. This incident exemplifies the Karen phenomenon, where white women falsely accuse people of color of crimes. The focus of this podcast series is on the innocent couple at the center of this story, shedding light on the wrong done to them.
Rudy Giuliani's Defamation Case and Damages
Rudy Giuliani, former attorney for Donald Trump, was ordered to pay $148 million in damages to Ruby Freeman and Shay Moss, a mother and daughter who were falsely accused by Giuliani of election fraud in Georgia. Giuliani's statements accusing them of trying to steal the 2020 election were proven false and defamatory. Despite Giuliani's bankruptcy filing, there is a process for the plaintiffs to seek recovery through litigation and other ongoing lawsuits.
Legal Strategy and Emotional Impact
The legal strategy employed in the defamation case against Giuliani focused on demonstrating the harm caused to the plaintiffs' reputation and their emotional and physical well-being. Evidence of threats and harassment received by the plaintiffs, including voicemails, text messages, and physical mail, was presented to the jury. The jury awarded a sizable damages verdict, recognizing the significant impact of false accusations on the lives of the plaintiffs. Emotionally, the case evoked anger, frustration, and hope as the justice system allowed the plaintiffs to tell their truth and seek accountability.
A Washington D.C. jury recently ordered Rudy Giuliani to pay $148 million to two election workers who he defamed after the 2020 election. Michael Gottlieb, who represented plaintiffs Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss in the litigation, joins Preet to discuss the significance of his clients’ victory and to detail what happens now to the former Trump attorney.
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