Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor, has reached a notable settlement in the defamation lawsuit filed against him by Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.
The Washington Examiner reported that in resolving the case, Giuliani managed to keep essential assets that were at risk due to litigation, marking a significant victory in his legal battles that have otherwise gone badly.
This lawsuit stemmed from accusations Giuliani made against Freeman and Moss, alleging they had engaged in election fraud during the 2020 presidential election.
His claims contributed significantly to the spread of false narratives about the election results.
As the case progressed, Giuliani faced substantial financial risks. Initially, he was ordered to pay $11 million out of a $148 million judgment owed to Freeman and Moss for damages.
The details of the recent agreement remain largely under wraps. However, it's known that the settlement allows Giuliani to retain ownership of several valuable assets.
This includes his Florida condo, a luxurious 10-room apartment in Manhattan, a vintage Mercedes-Benz convertible, World Series rings, and a signed Joe DiMaggio jersey.
Before reaching this settlement, there were genuine concerns that Giuliani would lose these assets. The case had garnered significant attention due to these potentially severe financial consequences.
Settlement negotiations intensified and concluded rapidly, reaching an agreement just within the last 72 hours before the settlement announcement. Despite being scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Giuliani did not show up. Instead, he posted a social media video featuring his dog around the time he was due in court.
Amidst the legal proceedings, Giuliani was also found in contempt of court just last week. This was due to his failure to adequately answer questions concerning his claims of Florida residency, which affects the jurisdiction and legal protections concerning his assets.
In a public statement outside the courthouse, Joseph Cammarata, Giuliani’s lawyer, mentioned that the settlement negotiations were difficult but concluded to Giuliani's satisfaction, noting the avoidance of a liability admission in the agreement.
The election workers Freeman and Moss expressed relief at the resolution. "We have fought to clear our names, restore our reputations, and prove that we did nothing wrong. Today is a major milestone in our journey. We have reached an agreement and we can now move forward with our lives," they stated.
Giuliani also commented on the settlement via social media, stating, "This resolution does not involve an admission of liability or wrongdoing by any of the Parties." This aligns with his ongoing narrative around the legal disputes he's been involved in following the 2020 election.
Further reflecting his public persona and ignoring the looming legal drama, Giuliani humorously shared a video on social media, stating, "Vinny loves hanging out at Mar-a-Lago, but he’s ready to spend a lot more time in Washington, D.C. over the next four years in support of his favorite President—Donald J. Trump!"
This post came roughly one hour into when his court hearing was scheduled, showcasing his continued controversial engagements.
The settlement not only closes this chapter for Giuliani but also spares him a potentially massive financial burden while allowing both Freeman and Moss to move on from a notably fraught period. This arrangement ideally puts a rest to one of the many tumultuous instances stemming from the disputed election results.