Former President Donald Trump's ex-lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has been ordered to pay substantial fines for his non-compliance in a defamation lawsuit involving two Georgia election workers.
The sanctions, imposed by Judge Beryl Howell, are a consequence of Giuliani's failure to provide electronic records requested during the discovery phase of the case.
The case, which will now proceed to trial in a federal court in Washington, D.C., involves Wandrea 'Shaye' Moss and her mother Ruby Freeman. Both women worked in the Georgia election cycle in 2020 and have accused Giuliani of spreading false allegations of vote-rigging against them following the presidential election. The exact amount Giuliani will be required to pay remains uncertain, but estimates suggest the fines could approach $90,000.
In addition to the fines, Judge Howell has ordered Giuliani and his associated business entities to cover more than $130,000 in attorneys' fees and other associated costs. Giuliani, who has previously admitted to making false statements about Moss and Freeman, has been given a 'final opportunity' by Judge Howell to produce the requested information for the case's discovery. Failure to do so may result in further sanctions.
The defamation case is just one of several legal challenges currently facing Giuliani. He is also contending with a $20,000 monthly fee to a company hosting his electronic records. Furthermore, Giuliani is one of 18 co-defendants, including former President Trump, facing charges in Fulton County for an alleged scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.
Last week, Giuliani surrendered himself to authorities at Fulton County Jail, where he was booked and had his mug shot taken along with his 17 co-defendants and Trump.
The complaint lodged by Moss and Freeman in December 2021 accuses Giuliani, a close confidant of Trump, of defaming them by falsely alleging they committed fraud while counting ballots at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, following the 2020 election. The women claim their reputations have been significantly damaged by Giuliani's remarks.
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