Rudy Giuliani and Dominion Voting Systems have reached a resolution regarding the multi-billion dollar defamation lawsuit filed by the election technology company against the former New York City mayor. The agreement, which addresses the substantial damages awarded to Dominion, marks a significant development in the legal fallout from Giuliani’s false claims about the 2020 presidential election.
Dominion had initially sought $1.3 billion in damages, alleging that Giuliani’s repeated and baseless accusations of election fraud severely harmed the company’s reputation. The lawsuit stemmed from Giuliani’s public statements as an attorney for then-President Donald Trump, where he propagated conspiracy theories about Dominion’s voting machines manipulating vote counts.
In December 2023, a federal jury found Giuliani liable for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy, ordering him to pay approximately $148 million in damages to Dominion. This verdict included $78 million in compensatory damages and $70 million in punitive damages.
“Today is a great day for democracy and a great day for Dominion,” said Stephen Shackelford Jr., a lawyer for Dominion, following the jury’s verdict. “Rudy Giuliani was found liable for defamation. The jury unanimously found that Rudy Giuliani’s statements caused Dominion harm. This is just the beginning. We have other cases.”
Shortly after the jury’s decision, Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York, citing his inability to pay the substantial judgment and other accumulating legal debts. His bankruptcy filing aimed to allow him to reorganize his finances and address his creditors under court supervision.
Terms of the Resolution
The “settlement” in question refers to the framework established within Giuliani’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings to address the $148 million judgment. While the initial lawsuit sought $1.3 billion, the final judgment stood at $148 million. The current arrangement outlines how Giuliani will manage the repayment of this judgment as part of his overall financial restructuring plan, rather than a reduction of the judgment itself. Dominion is listed as a primary creditor in his bankruptcy case.
Giuliani had previously dismissed the jury’s award, indicating an intent to appeal. “The absurdity of the number, the idea of me owing $148 million, I mean, that is a number that is so ridiculous that it helps to underscore the ridiculousness of the entire proceeding,” Giuliani stated outside the courthouse after the verdict.
The resolution within the bankruptcy context aims to provide a structured path for Giuliani to meet his financial obligations to Dominion, alongside other creditors, under the oversight of a bankruptcy court. This process marks a significant step toward concluding one of the high-profile defamation cases arising from the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.
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