
Election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss have taken bold steps to target Rudy Giuliani’s coffee business earnings after their legal victory in a defamation case.
At a Glance
- A jury awarded $148 million in damages to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss following a defamation claim against Rudy Giuliani.
- The case pertained to false accusations during the 2020 election, leading to racial harassment for Freeman and Moss.
- Giuliani Communications, housing profits from Rudy Coffee, is considered his “alter ego,” allowing legal claims against its assets.
- Courts are exploring potential asset freezes on Giuliani’s coffee venture earnings.
Victory in Defamation Case
A jury has awarded $148 million to former Georgia election workers Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and Ruby Freeman in a defamation lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani. The case centered on false claims spread during the 2020 presidential election, which led to serious and unfounded public accusations against the election workers.
Freeman and Moss received $75 million in punitive damages in addition to other combined damages of approximately $72 million. Their lives were significantly impacted due to the false charges, perpetuating ongoing racist threats. Now, they pursue recouping damages by seeking Giuliani’s business earnings, particularly from his Rudy Coffee venture.
Two election workers are seeking enforcement of their $148 million judgment against the former Donald Trump lawyer. https://t.co/84tkmDseUU
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) October 14, 2024
Giuliani’s Earned Coffee Profits in Limbo
Rudy Giuliani’s legal troubles continue as Freeman and Moss look to seize his coffee profits. The court identified Giuliani Communications, LLC as Giuliani’s “alter ego.” This strategy permits the plaintiffs to challenge the company’s separation from Giuliani’s personal assets, potentially piercing the corporate veil to access coffee business profits.
Legal insights suggest that corporations perceived as intertwined with personal finances can face liability. Despite Giuliani’s efforts to prevent asset freezing, the restraining notice from the court marks a significant step in limiting his financial maneuverability without immediate fund transfers to the plaintiffs.
Giuliani’s Defense and Financial Strains
The defamation case underscores Giuliani’s ongoing legal battles, exacerbated by related criminal charges in Georgia and continued costly lawsuits. Despite intending to appeal what he deems “absurd” damages, Giuliani faces financial challenges amplified by his representation of former President Trump during the contentious 2020 election period.
The courts’ decision on whether to pierce the corporate veil remains critical in determining the reach of Freeman and Moss’s claims on Giuliani’s coffee business profits. With the potential to hold Giuliani Communications accountable, this exemplifies how blended business and personal finances can lead to significant legal consequences.