Rudy Giuliani has been threatened with jail time after repeatedly defying a court order and continuing to spread defamatory lies about Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea ArShaye “Shaye” Moss. This follows a contempt hearing in Washington, D.C., where Giuliani was found in violation of a final injunction and consent agreement. The case stems from the false accusations Giuliani made about Freeman and Moss after the 2020 election, which led to a $148 million defamation verdict in their favor.
In December 2023, Freeman and Moss filed a motion seeking a permanent injunction to stop Giuliani from further defaming them. Despite this, Giuliani continued making false claims about their involvement in election fraud, including on his podcast. The court was particularly critical of Giuliani’s continued dissemination of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, despite already being found liable for defamation.
During the hearing, Giuliani’s defense team argued that he truly believed the falsehoods he spread, but the judge swiftly dismissed this argument, stating it was a waste of time. The defense also suggested that the alleged violations were minimal, but the plaintiffs presented evidence showing that Giuliani had violated the injunction at least six times. The court ultimately held Giuliani in contempt, with the judge accusing him of “baseless whining” for complaining about the injunction.
In addition to the contempt finding, the court imposed a fine of $20,000 for each additional violation of the injunction. Giuliani was also ordered to file a sworn declaration affirming that Freeman and Moss had been fully vindicated by all court proceedings and government inquiries. Furthermore, Giuliani faces a daily fine of $200 for failing to comply with the order and may face jail time if he continues to disregard the court’s directives.
The proceedings highlighted the court’s frustration with Giuliani’s ongoing refusal to cease his defamatory actions, and the judge made it clear that further violations would result in more severe consequences. The case underscores the growing legal repercussions for those who continue to spread false information about the 2020 election, especially after being held accountable in court.
