Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was indicted in Georgia on charges he acted as former President Donald Trump’s chief co-conspirator in a plot to subvert President Joe Biden’s victory in the state. He has also been found liable for defamation of two election workers as well.
Giuliani, 77, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit election fraud and two counts of making false statements. He is the highest-profile figure to be charged in the investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results in Georgia.
The indictment alleges that Giuliani and other Trump allies pressured Georgia officials to “find” enough votes to overturn Biden’s victory. Giuliani also allegedly made false statements to the public about the election, including claiming that there was widespread voter fraud.
The indictment is the latest blow to Giuliani’s reputation, which was once one of the most respected in American politics. He was hailed as a hero after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when he served as New York City mayor. But his reputation has been tarnished in recent years by his association with Trump and his promotion of false claims about the 2020 election.
The indictment also comes at a time when Giuliani is facing other legal challenges. He is already under investigation by the Justice Department for his role in the Trump campaign’s efforts to overturn the election results. He is also facing a defamation lawsuit from two Georgia election workers who he falsely accused of voter fraud.
Georgia Defamation Case
Giuliani is also facing a defamation lawsuit from two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss. The lawsuit alleges that Giuliani defamed the women by falsely accusing them of voter fraud on television and in public appearances.
In December 2020, Giuliani held a press conference in which he claimed that Freeman and Moss had been caught on video engaging in ballot fraud. He also claimed that they were “professional vote-traffickers” and “mules” who were paid to collect and deposit illegal ballots.
The video that Giuliani cited did not show any evidence of voter fraud. In fact, it was later revealed that the video had been heavily edited and that the women were actually innocent. Freeman and Moss have said that Giuliani’s accusations have ruined their lives. They have been forced to move out of their homes and have received death threats.
The defamation lawsuit against Giuliani is still pending. However, a federal judge ruled that Giuliani had forfeited his right to defend himself in the case because he had failed to provide discovery materials to the plaintiffs.
Discovery is the process by which each side in a lawsuit is required to share information with the other side. This includes documents, witness statements and other evidence that may be relevant to the case.
Giuliani had failed to provide the plaintiffs with a number of documents, including emails, text messages and phone records. He had also refused to answer questions about his interactions with Trump and other Trump allies.
The judge ruled that Giuliani’s failure to comply with discovery was “willful and intentional.” As a result, he forfeited his right to defend himself in the case. The plaintiffs, Freeman and Moss, are now free to proceed with their case without Giuliani. They are seeking damages for defamation, emotional distress and other losses.
The case is a major setback for Giuliani and is a reminder of the serious consequences of spreading false information. It is also a sign that the legal system is taking steps to hold those who spread false information accountable.
Photo by AWF