Rudy Giuliani Declares Bankruptcy Following $146 Million Defamation Judgment
Former New York Mayor and Trump campaign attorney Rudy Giuliani has filed for bankruptcy one day after a federal judge ordered him to pay nearly $150 million to two former Georgia election workers he defamed. This move came shortly after the conclusion of a defamation trial that resulted in a jury awarding Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, $148 million in damages. The judge later reduced this amount to $146 million.
The defamation case revolved around Giuliani’s baseless claims concerning the involvement of Moss and Freeman in election fraud during the 2020 presidential election. These allegations significantly impacted the lives of the two election workers, prompting the lawsuit and subsequent judgment.
Giuliani’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing was submitted in New York. In this filing, he reported owing millions in liabilities, including lawsuits, unpaid taxes, and outstanding legal fees. He stated that his debts ranged between $100,000,001 and $500 million, while his assets were estimated to be between $1,000,001 and $10 million.
Despite the bankruptcy filing, it remains unclear how this will affect the ability of Freeman and Moss to collect the damages awarded to them. Legal experts have pointed out that while some of the debt might be discharged through bankruptcy, most of it likely will not.
The filing follows the court’s directive for immediate payment and represents a significant financial setback for Giuliani, who was once highly respected for his role as New York City’s mayor. This development marks a considerable change in his public and financial standing, largely influenced by his legal entanglements following the 2020 presidential election.
