Rudy Giuliani, once celebrated as "America's Mayor," finds himself embroiled in mounting legal battles and financial penalties after being held in contempt of court for the second time in a week. The latest ruling, issued Friday by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C., highlights Giuliani's continued defiance of court orders in a defamation case brought by two Georgia election workers.
The case centers on Giuliani's false claims against Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss, mother-and-daughter election workers, whom he accused of committing voter fraud during the 2020 election. These accusations led to a barrage of death threats against the pair and forced them to leave their jobs and homes.
Judge Howell, who previously ruled against Giuliani in the $146 million defamation judgment, chastised the former Trump attorney for his recent comments on a livestream show. These remarks, Howell noted, blatantly violated a prior agreement to refrain from further defamatory statements.
"You're the most famous person in this courtroom," Howell said during the hearing. "You have a bigger audience, a bigger platform. And yet, despite a $148 million judgment, the defamation continues. This takes real chutzpah, Mr. Giuliani."
The judge ordered Giuliani to file a sworn declaration within ten days affirming that he has reviewed all evidence in the case and acknowledging that no credible testimony or government reports support his claims against Freeman and Moss. Failure to comply will result in a $200 daily fine, with potential for jail time if violations persist.
The plaintiffs' attorney, Michael Gottlieb, expressed frustration over Giuliani's actions, saying, "The main thing the plaintiffs want is for Mr. Giuliani to stop defaming them." Gottlieb had requested a $20,000 fine for each violation, arguing that substantial penalties might finally deter Giuliani.
Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Giuliani, criticized the ruling as an attack on Giuliani's First Amendment rights, stating, "This contempt ruling is designed to prevent Mayor Giuliani from exercising his constitutional rights."
This week's contempt finding comes on the heels of another ruling by U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in New York, where Giuliani was sanctioned for failing to turn over court-ordered financial information. The plaintiffs had sought this information to enforce the $146 million judgment awarded last year.
During Friday's proceedings, Giuliani took the stand to address his finances, asserting that his accounts were frozen and inaccessible. He claimed, "Illegally, you have tied up everything I have," while disputing allegations that he had not disclosed all assets.
One notable item in dispute is a valuable New York Yankees jersey autographed by Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio, which Giuliani said is now missing.
Judge Howell appeared unimpressed by Giuliani's financial explanations and warned that stricter sanctions might be necessary to ensure compliance. "I am very concerned based on the statements made today that Mr. Giuliani may not be persuaded from making statements without more severe sanctions," she said.
Freeman and Moss initially filed their defamation lawsuit in response to Giuliani's allegations, which were part of his broader effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Giuliani has repeatedly defended his comments, claiming they were protected under the First Amendment and made without malice.
