Former New York mayor and Donald Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani has been held in contempt of court for the second time in a week. This ruling comes as a result of false information spread by Giuliani following the 2020 election.
District Judge Beryl Howell issued the ruling on Friday, criticizing Giuliani for continuing to make false insinuations about two Georgia election workers despite a $150 million defamation verdict against him. Howell described Giuliani's actions as the 'worst kind of defamation' and expressed outrage at his portrayal of himself as a victim.
Giuliani was ordered to swear in a statement within 10 days confirming that he acknowledges records showing no fraud in the 2020 election. Failure to comply will result in a daily fine of $200.
In late 2023, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, testified about the threats they received due to Giuliani's false claims about the election. Giuliani had previously agreed not to repeat such statements, but recent broadcasts showed him making similar unfounded allegations.
Courts have repeatedly debunked claims of election fraud in Georgia in 2020, where Trump narrowly lost to Joe Biden. Giuliani's behavior in court was marked by defiance, including posting social media attacks against the judge and taking multiple breaks during the hearing.
Giuliani, who is facing financial penalties and potential asset seizure, has been held in contempt in separate proceedings in Manhattan's federal court. Judge Lewis Liman criticized Giuliani for failing to turn over information to Moss and Freeman's lawyers.
Despite his health issues, including knee, heart, and lung conditions, Giuliani's spokesman maintains that he has an 'extraordinary record of public service.'
