Federal District Court Judge Beryl Howell's default judgement that scotch-swilliing former Trump consigliere Rudy "Toot Toot" Giuliani was liable for damages for defaming Georgia poll workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss will set him up for crushing damages. Howell's ruling came after delay after delay by Giuliani in an attempt to draw the case out. Now, Freeman and Moss have their case won, and it's only a matter of determining how much the disgraced, conspiratorial Giuliani will pay them. From Salon:
"After losing the defamation lawsuit, Giuliani is liable for the 'plaintiffs' defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, civil conspiracy, and punitive damage claims,' which will be determined at a future hearing. [snip]
In order to facilitate trial preparations, Howell ordered Giuliani to foot the bill by Sept. 20 for Moss and Freeman's attorneys' fees and costs associated with their first motion to compel discovery, which amounts to $89,172.50 with interest that has accrued since July 25 — the reimbursement's original due date. Giuliani was also ordered to ensure that his businesses reimburse the mother-daughter duo's attorneys' fees of $43,684 with interest accruing from Sept. 20 against him if his businesses fail to comply. [snip]
The suit will still go to trial to determine the exact amount of fees the poll workers will be awarded with Howell ordering the parties to propose a schedule for future proceedings in the dispute in the period from November to February 2024. In determining those damages, the judge writes, the jury will be instructed to 'infer that [Giuliani] is intentionally trying to hide relevant discovery about his financial assets for the purpose of artificially deflating his net worth' unless he adequately responds to the plaintiffs' requests for production that he was ordered to produce by June 30." (our emphasis)
When NBC News correspondent Ken Delanian was asked about Giuliani's situation on MSNBC today, he remarked:
"'Now there will be a trial as to how much money Rudy Giuliani has to pay them. He owes them $90,000 according to this judge for their legal fees. It's a big blow to Mr. Giuliani. Of course, it's one of a long line of things he's facing, including criminal liability. You know, there are reports he's got a debt of $3 million in legal fees.'
'His life essentially is falling apart. He is losing his license to practice law. Just add this to the list of legal woes for Rudy Giuliani.'" (our emphasis)
Let's hope Freeman and Moss strip him of his financial resources so that he'll have to cut way back on his expenses, maybe starting with his weekly case of scotch.
(photo: Scotch sweat. Getty Images)
