In a landmark verdict seeking accountability for those who attempted to overturn the 2020 election, former New York City mayor and Donald Trump ally, Rudy Giuliani, has been ordered to pay $148,169,000 to Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, two election workers he falsely accused of committing fraud. The trial, held at a federal court in Washington, D.C., aimed to determine the damages Giuliani would have to pay the women for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell had already awarded default judgment to Freeman and Moss in August, and this week's trial focused on the amount Giuliani would be required to pay. The jury, after three days of testimony, determined that Giuliani owed the women approximately $73 million each to compensate for the reputational and emotional harm they suffered. In addition to the compensatory damages, Giuliani was also ordered to pay $75 million as punishment for his conduct.

The courtroom gasped when the jury foreperson read aloud the amount of damages, but Giuliani remained emotionless. He has expressed his intention to appeal the ruling, claiming that the exorbitant amount of money only underscores the absurdity of the entire proceeding, where he was not allowed to present any evidence in his defense.

Freeman and Moss, speaking outside the courthouse, described the devastating impact Giuliani's false accusations had on their lives. Moss stated that the lies Giuliani spread had changed every aspect of their lives, including their home, family, work, and sense of safety and mental health. They expressed their hope that no one else would have to endure the same ordeal they went through.

Giuliani's false claims accusing Freeman and Moss of election fraud were part of his efforts to advance former President Trump's unproven claims that the 2020 election was stolen. Freeman and Moss, who are Black, received racist and sexist messages, including threats of lynching, as a result of the false accusations. They described the anguish and fear they experienced in the aftermath.

The plaintiffs had requested at least $48 million on the defamation claim and sought unspecified damages for emotional distress and punitive damages. Giuliani's lawyer acknowledged that his client had caused harm but argued that the penalty the plaintiffs sought would be catastrophic for him.

Giuliani, who had initially indicated that he would testify during the trial, ultimately chose not to take the witness stand. He repeatedly made false claims about a surveillance video allegedly showing the plaintiffs concealing and counting “suitcases” filled with illegal ballots at an Atlanta basketball arena. It was later revealed that the women were legally and properly processing ballots.

This verdict adds to the series of civil and criminal woes Giuliani has faced since his involvement in Trump's efforts to overturn the election. He has been charged in the Georgia racketeering case and has pleaded not guilty.

The jury's decision to hold Giuliani accountable for his false accusations marks a significant step towards accountability for those who sought to undermine the 2020 election. The damages awarded to Freeman and Moss reflect the severe impact Giuliani's actions had on their lives and serve as a reminder that spreading baseless claims can have devastating consequences.