“I gave everything that I could give”—Rudy Giuliani Pushes Back Against Request for Sanctions in Georgia Defamation Case

On Christmas Eve, Rudy Giuliani filed a series of court documents in an effort to prevent sanctions from being imposed on him in connection with a defamation case involving two former Georgia election workers, Wandrea ‘Shay’ Moss, and Ruby Freeman.

The two women had been awarded $148 million in the case, and Giuliani was asked to turn over certain property to comply with the court’s order. However, he argued in his filing that the plaintiffs had not met the legal requirements necessary to proceed with the request.

In a 20-page filing, Giuliani stated that Moss and Freeman had not filed the required “oath” before they could begin receiving his property. “A temporary receiver, before entering upon his duties, shall be sworn faithfully and fairly to discharge the trust committed to him,” Giuliani’s legal team quoted from state law in their motion.

The filing continued, “The oath may be waived upon consent of all parties. Hence, the receivership has not yet technically or legally begun.” Giuliani argued that until the proper oaths were taken and filed with the court, the plaintiffs could not act as receivers.

Giuliani also insisted that he had already turned over all property that was required by the court. In separate filings, he wrote, “I respectfully submit this Declaration in opposition to the Plaintiffs’ motion to hold Defendant in civil contempt and impose sanctions.”

He claimed he had given the election workers “more than what the Court order specifically requires,” citing examples such as “various items of furniture” and his Mercedes-Benz. “I gave items of furniture and sports memorabilia that were not specifically listed on the Court’s Turnover Order, but I gave them anyway to ensure that I was complying with this Court’s orders,” Giuliani stated in the filings.

He concluded by requesting that the court deny the plaintiffs’ motions for contempt and sanctions and provide any other relief the court deemed appropriate. The lawsuit stems from allegations that Giuliani spread false claims about Moss and Freeman’s involvement in rigging the 2020 presidential election for Joe Biden.

Attorneys for Freeman and Moss have accused Giuliani of failing to comply with the court’s orders and dragging out the process of turning over his property. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman has scheduled a civil contempt hearing for January 3 to address the dispute. Meanwhile, Giuliani has faced challenges in securing legal representation in recent weeks.