In the wake of a recent high-profile verdict, former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani finds himself ensnared in a legal and financial maelstrom. A jury has determined that Giuliani owes a staggering $148 million to election workers Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman, whom he defamed during the tumultuous 2020 presidential election. The burning question now: Can Giuliani, citing financial difficulties, escape the hefty financial repercussions?
Despite Giuliani’s claims of fiscal strain, his legal team has failed to provide a comprehensive overview of his net worth, with Giuliani notably ignoring subpoenas requesting this crucial information. The four-day trial concluded with a jury awarding compensatory and punitive damages, excluding an additional $200,000 in court sanctions that Giuliani has yet to pay.
Some legal experts cast doubt on Moss and Freeman’s chances of recovering the full amount. Ryan Goodman, a former special counsel at the US Department of Defense, suggests they might only receive a “fraction” of the damages, contingent on the revelation of Giuliani’s actual assets. However, former US Attorney Barb McQuade underscores that intentional torts, such as defamation, cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, signaling that Giuliani may be held accountable irrespective of his financial predicament.
“Intentional torts, like defamation, are not dischargeable in bankruptcy,” she asserted. “And so it may be that Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss are able to chase Rudy Giuliani to his grave to catch every penny they can out of his pockets.”
The question of whether Mr. Giuliani can file for bankruptcy as a means to protect himself from paying the damages he owes remains uncertain. Comparisons to similar cases, like that of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who failed to use bankruptcy as an escape route, raise questions about Giuliani’s potential legal maneuvers. Facing escalating financial challenges, Giuliani may explore negotiating a post-verdict settlement in bankruptcy court, according to legal experts.
Giuliani’s diverse income streams, including deals with right-wing media outlet Newsmax and support from former President Donald Trump, who recently hosted a fundraiser on his behalf, add layers of complexity to the financial puzzle. In closing arguments, Moss and Freeman’s legal team emphasized the uncertainty surrounding Giuliani’s ongoing earnings from his controversial election-related activities.
As Giuliani contemplates selling his New York apartment for a hefty sum, the financial fallout remains unclear. Moss hinted at a broader pursuit of accountability, suggesting that Giuliani was not the sole purveyor of falsehoods against them. With the verdict settling, the financial saga for Giuliani appears far from over, leaving a trail of unanswered questions about his ability to navigate the substantial damages owed to the election workers.
