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Rudy Giuliani could be held in civil contempt for allegedly defaming two Georgia election workers on his podcast, America's Mayor Live. The workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, previously won a $146 million defamation judgment against Giuliani for his baseless claims of mass election fraud in 2020. According to The Hill, Freeman and Moss's attorneys have asked the judge to sanction Giuliani for his recent statements, which they claim violate a court injunction that prohibits him from repeating defamatory claims about the workers.
Giuliani's spokesperson, Ted Goodman, has called the new effort a "dishonest and duplicitous attack," arguing that Giuliani has the right to defend himself under the First Amendment. However, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell has ordered Giuliani to respond in writing by December 2 and to attend an in-person hearing in Washington, D.C., on December 12.
This development follows a protracted battle to collect on the $146 million judgment, during which Giuliani began surrendering some of his assets, including luxury watches, a ring, and cash in his bank accounts. The parties are still disputing whether Giuliani must turn over other property, including his Florida condo.