Rudy Giuliani, the embattled former New York City mayor and ex-attorney to former President Donald Trump, has reached a settlement with two Georgia election workers who successfully sued him for defamation. The resolution allows Giuliani to keep key properties, including his Florida condominium and New York apartment, as well as personal items like World Series rings, in exchange for undisclosed compensation and a commitment not to defame the plaintiffs further.
The settlement comes as Giuliani, 80, faces mounting legal and financial woes. He had been scheduled to appear in a Manhattan federal court on Thursday, but his absence led to an adjournment of the proceedings. "All parties reached a resolution," Giuliani's attorney, Joseph Cammarata, confirmed outside the courthouse.
In 2023, a jury found Giuliani liable for defaming Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, two Georgia election workers whom he falsely accused of tampering with the 2020 presidential election results. The court awarded Freeman and Moss a $148 million judgment, one of the largest defamation awards in U.S. history.
"The past four years have been a living nightmare. We have fought to clear our names, restore our reputations, and prove that we did nothing wrong," Freeman and Moss said in a joint statement. "Today is a major milestone in our journey. We have reached an agreement and we can now move forward with our lives."
While the details of the settlement remain confidential, Giuliani will retain several high-value assets that were at risk of being seized, including his Florida condo, which he claimed as his primary residence, and a collection of luxury watches and baseball memorabilia. These items had been targeted by the plaintiffs as part of their debt collection efforts.
In addition to the settlement, Giuliani has faced significant professional repercussions. He has been disbarred in both New York and Washington, D.C., for his role in Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Giuliani has also been held in contempt of court twice in recent weeks for failing to comply with court orders related to the defamation case.
Despite his legal challenges, Giuliani has maintained a public presence. On the same day his trial was scheduled to begin, he posted a video on social media showing a small dog at Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club, accompanied by the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy." The post alluded to his support for Trump's upcoming inauguration and his continued loyalty to the former president.
Freeman and Moss's case against Giuliani has drawn national attention, highlighting the personal toll of baseless allegations. The two election workers, who endured threats and harassment as a result of Giuliani's claims, expressed relief at the case's resolution.
