Rudy Giuliani reaches tentative settlement with Georgia election workers

In a surprising turn of events, attorneys for Rudy Giuliani and two former Georgia election workers announced Thursday that they have reached a tentative settlement to resolve the workers’ $146 million defamation judgment. The agreement, if finalized, would mark the conclusion of years of contentious litigation between Giuliani and election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.

The notice filed in court indicated that the settlement would “fully resolve” the disputes and bring an end to “all litigation” between the parties. However, the execution of the agreement hinges on unspecified conditions being met.

Settlement Details

The deal comes on the heels of Giuliani’s failure to appear for a trial in New York City earlier Thursday. The trial was set to determine whether Giuliani could retain certain personal assets, including a Florida condominium and three Yankees World Series rings, after he had already been ordered to hand over most of his possessions.

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Giuliani confirmed the agreement but emphasized that it did not constitute “an admission of liability or wrongdoing” by any party. He revealed that the settlement would allow him to retain his New York apartment, Florida condo, and “all of my personal belongings,” an unexpected outcome given the prior court rulings.

“This litigation has taken its toll on all parties. This whole episode was unfortunate,” Giuliani said. He also vowed not to defame Freeman and Moss in the future, urging others to do the same.

Freeman and Moss Speak Out

Freeman and Moss, who endured years of harassment and threats after Giuliani’s false claims that they engaged in widespread election fraud during the 2020 election, called the settlement a major milestone.

“The past four years have been a living nightmare,” the pair said in a joint statement. “We have fought to clear our names, restore our reputations, and prove that we did nothing wrong. Today is a major milestone in our journey. We have agreed to allow Mr. Giuliani to retain his property in exchange for compensation and his promise not to ever defame us.”

The two women recounted during a December 2023 civil trial how Giuliani’s baseless accusations upended their lives, subjecting them to racist and violent threats. The Washington, D.C., jury awarded them $146 million in damages, but the election workers have faced significant hurdles in collecting the sum.

Legal Maneuvering and Contempt Proceedings

The legal battle has been marked by delays, with Freeman and Moss accusing Giuliani of using stalling tactics. After Giuliani attempted to declare bankruptcy but was dismissed from the process for lack of financial transparency, the election workers pursued judgment enforcement proceedings. Most recently, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman held Giuliani in contempt twice in the past week for failing to comply with court orders.

Thursday’s announcement followed a motion to adjourn both the trial and ongoing contempt proceedings to after February 25, giving the parties time to execute the settlement.

Next Steps

While the tentative agreement provides hope for closure, the settlement is not yet finalized. Judge Liman rescheduled the trial for Tuesday but may adjourn it further if the conditions for settlement progress.

For Freeman and Moss, the settlement offers a chance to move forward after years of turmoil. “We can now move forward with our lives,” they said. For Giuliani, the deal represents a rare reprieve, allowing him to retain the majority of his assets while avoiding further legal jeopardy.