This might be the end for him.
In the opening statements of a high-profile defamation trial, attorneys representing two Atlanta election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss, highlighted the anguish inflicted upon the women by Rudy Giuliani’s actions. Von DuBose, their lawyer, described Giuliani’s use of their names as a catalyst for distress, leading to a barrage of threats and a perpetual nightmare since December 2020.
The trial, underway for the next week, aims to determine the compensatory and punitive damages Giuliani should pay, following the court’s defamation ruling against him. Freeman and Moss seek between $15.5 million and $43 million. This case stands out as a pivotal effort to hold allies of former President Donald Trump accountable for spreading election lies to overturn the 2020 election results. It serves as a test for using defamation law against misinformation and underlines the human toll of election denialism.
DuBose presented hateful voicemails filled with racial slurs and threats, illustrating the aftermath of Giuliani’s accusations against Freeman and Moss. Despite the claims being debunked, Giuliani persisted, contributing to the women’s distress.
Freeman faced intrusions at her home, forcing her to flee for safety, while Moss, previously employed in the Fulton county elections office, encountered humiliating experiences while seeking new employment. The trial witnesses, both present in court, will recount the emotional turmoil they’ve endured.
Giuliani’s lawyer, Joseph Sibley, acknowledged the harm caused to Freeman and Moss but claimed it wasn’t Giuliani’s doing, absolving him of promoting violence against the women.
Michael Gottlieb, representing Freeman and Moss, urged the jury to consider the impact of powerful figures targeting election workers and inciting baseless accusations. He called for a verdict sending a strong message against such behavior.
Giuliani declined to comment in the courthouse but hinted at surprises in the trial. Regina Scott, a security expert, testified about the immense volume of threats the women faced, while Giuliani’s attorney questioned the credibility of the data analysis and disassociated Giuliani from the threats.
Giuliani’s remarks outside court contradicted his legal stance, where he acknowledged defaming the women, yet claiming his statements were true. DuBose reacted, emphasizing the emotional distress inflicted on Freeman and Moss and their anticipation for justice.
Freeman, previously outspoken about her fears after the January 6 attack investigation, expressed a constant fear, prompting her to change her identity due to the notoriety associated with her name.
Moss suffered from anxiety, depression, and her son faced threats, affecting his academic performance, following the turmoil. Both women, relatively quiet since the election, are expected to testify in court.
As Giuliani prepares to testify, his advisor cited his accomplishments, urging support against the justice system’s politicization. Giuliani, already sanctioned and expected to appear in court, faces a lawsuit that initially included One America News, settled in 2022 with undisclosed terms acknowledging no widespread voter fraud in Georgia in 2020.
