Rudolph W. Giuliani Owes Defamed Georgia Election Workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea’ ArShaye (“Shaye”) Moss Damages After Deliberately Spreading Lies in an Effort to Undermine 2020 Election Results

Washington, D.C. – Today, a jury awarded Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea’ ArShaye (“Shaye”) Moss just over $148M in compensatory and punitive damages from Rudy Giuliani. 

This determination comes after Judge Beryl A. Howell of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia entered default judgment against Rudolph W. Giuliani, finding him liable to Ms. Freeman and Ms. Moss on all of their claims. At the close of trial, the eight members of the jury awarded $75M in punitive damages, $33,169,000 in defamation damages, and $40M in total damages for infliction of emotional distress.

Ms. Moss and Ms. Freeman filed suit in December 2021 against Mr. Giuliani for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy arising from statements he made to intentionally undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election. Protect Democracy, through its Law for Truth project, represents Ms. Freeman and Ms. Moss in the case against Mr. Giuliani, in partnership with the law firms Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and DuBose Miller LLC. 

As the legal team stated during its closing argument in the case, “Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, as it turns out, are miles and miles away from ordinary; they are heroes. After everything they went through, they stood up and they said: No more.”

In response to today’s ruling, below are statements from the Plaintiffs:

Wandrea’ ArShaye (“Shaye”) Moss: 

My name is Shaye Moss. I spent ten years as an election worker in Fulton County, Georgia.

The lies Rudy Giuliani told about me and my mommy after the 2020 presidential election have changed our lives, and the past few years have been devastating. 

The flame that Giuliani lit with those lies and passed to so many others to keep that flame blazing, changed every aspect of our lives: our homes, our family, our work, our sense of safety, our mental health — and we’re still working to rebuild. 

As we move forward and continue to seek justice, our greatest wish is that no one — no election worker or voter or school board member or anyone else — ever experiences anything like what we went through. You all matter, and you are all important. We hope no one ever has to fight so hard just to get their name back. 

We’re very grateful to the jury for taking the time out of your busy lives to do your civic duty – to listen to everything that we’ve been going through.

I know I won’t be able to retire from my job with the county like my grandmother did, but I hope by us taking these big steps – these very big steps – towards justice that I can make her just as proud.  

Ruby Freeman 

My name is Lady Ruby.

Today is a good day. A jury stood witness to what Mr. Giuliani did to me and my daughter and held him accountable. For that, I am thankful.

Today is not the end of the road. We still have work to do. Mr. Giuliani was not the only one who spread lies about us, and others must be held accountable, too. But that is tomorrow’s work.

For now, I want people to understand this: money will never solve all of my problems. I can never move back to the house I called home. I will always have to be careful about where I go, and who I choose to share my name with.

I miss my home, I miss my neighbors, and I miss my name.

I’ve heard some of you. Don’t be sad for me. Don’t waste your time being angry at those who did this to me and my daughter. We are more than conquerors. Pray for us, as we continue to fight the good fight of faith. 

I tell my attorneys often — my friends say that God knew who to give this assignment to because ain’t no way we could do this. God chose me to go through this because he knows that I would tell everyone whose path I cross about Jesus. I am strong and my faith shall not waver.

If you remember one thing I say today, remember this: faith is what carried me through the most difficult years of my life, and faith will carry you through hardship, too.

Know that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.

Understand that the devil is a liar, he is defeated and no weapon formed against you shall prosper.

Trust that God will keep and protect you.

Believe that right makes might, because it does.

And give thanks that injustice always surrenders in the glorious kingdom of God, and that he will always lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Peace that surpasses all understanding.

Thank you.

More information about this litigation can be found here.