Election Worker Testifies in Giuliani Defamation Trial
TL/DR –
Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and ally of Donald Trump, is facing a trial to determine how much he will have to pay for defaming two Georgia election workers with baseless claims of election fraud. Giuliani had falsely accused Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, of handing around USB drives like drugs during the vote count, while the two women were merely exchanging a mint. The trial, which includes testimony from Moss and Freeman about the negative impact of the allegations, will resolve the amount of damages Giuliani must pay, with the plaintiffs seeking between $15.5 million to $43 million.
Testimony in Giuliani’s Defamation Case
Ex-Georgia election worker, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss testified on Tuesday in a trial to assess damages owed by Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani had been found liable for defaming Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, with baseless fraud claims surrounding the 2020 election. The two women sued over these false claims that disrupted their lives.
Giuliani, ex-New York City Mayor and Trump ally, had been ruled by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell to have defamed the women. He made false accusations of them handling USBs as though they were drugs during vote count when in fact they were sharing a mint.
Moss detailed in her testimony the negative impact of the false allegations on her life, such as intense anxiety, fear of going out alone, and significant weight gain caused by stress eating.
Recorded deposition videos of investigators Frank Brown and Frances Watson were shown. They testified that they found no evidence to support Giuliani’s fraud claims. Remarks from Freeman and Moss’s attorneys highlighted the harm caused by the false claims, wherein their names became synonymous with crime and fraud.
Giuliani, however, insisted that he did not regret his statements and claimed they were true. His comments contrasted with those of his attorney, Joseph Sibley, who acknowledged that Freeman and Moss were harmed and are “good people.”
Howell questioned Sibley over Giuliani’s comments, pointing out that his client’s statement could potentially support a new defamation case. Sibley admitted he couldn’t reconcile Giuliani’s statement with his own opening remarks and acknowledged that he can’t entirely control his client’s actions.
The judge found Giuliani liable for damages after repeatedly refusing to turn over evidence in the case. The pair is seeking damages ranging from $15.5 million to $43 million. Their testimonies will discuss the threats, harassment, and harm they experienced due to Giuliani’s false claims.
Regina Scott, an expert from Jensen Hughes, shared a report that found 710,000 social media mentions with overwhelmingly negative sentiments against Freeman and Moss. Sibley questioned the integrity and billing practices of the firm.
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