Rudy Giuliani Lawsuit Latest Today, Trump Pardon on $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit, Active Cases, Court Rulings
Rudy Giuliani settled his $146 million defamation case with Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss in January 2025, allowing him to keep his homes and personal belongings. He also reached a confidential settlement with Dominion Voting Systems in September 2025, ending the $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit. President Trump pardoned Giuliani in November 2025 for federal crimes related to 2020 election challenges, though state charges in Arizona and Georgia remain unresolved.
Federal courts held Giuliani in contempt twice in January 2025 for failing to comply with asset turnover orders. These developments reshape the legal landscape for the former New York mayor facing multiple civil and criminal proceedings.
Which Rudy Giuliani Lawsuits Are Currently Active?
Georgia RICO Case Status
The Georgia election racketeering case remains pending after the Court of Appeals disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in December 2024. A new prosecutor must be assigned by November 14, 2025.
Giuliani faces 13 counts including RICO violations, solicitation of violation of oath by public officer, and false statements related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. He surrendered at Fulton County Jail in August 2023 and was released on bond.
The case alleges Giuliani spearheaded false elector schemes and pressured state officials to reject certified election results. Charges relate to false assertions about election fraud made at legislative hearings and in communications with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Arizona Fake Elector Case Developments
Giuliani faced conspiracy, fraud, and forgery charges in Arizona for allegedly pressuring legislators and county officials to change election outcomes. He was served with the indictment in May 2024 after his 80th birthday party.
Trump’s November 2025 pardon covers Giuliani and 17 other defendants charged in Arizona’s fake elector scheme. However, presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes, not state charges. The Arizona trial was scheduled for January 5, 2026.
In May 2025, a Maricopa County judge ordered the case back to a new grand jury after finding prosecutors failed to present the Electoral Count Act of 1887 to the original grand jury. This ruling represents a major setback requiring prosecutors to restart proceedings.
Defamation Case Settlement With Georgia Election Workers
Giuliani reached a confidential settlement with Freeman and Moss on January 16, 2025, avoiding trial over his Florida condominium and World Series rings. The settlement allows him to keep his personal belongings, New York apartment, and Florida condo without admitting liability.
A jury originally awarded Freeman and Moss $148 million in December 2023, later reduced to $146 million. The judgment was fully satisfied by February 25, 2025, according to federal court filings.
Freeman and Moss had already been awarded Giuliani’s $6 million Manhattan apartment, luxury watches, furniture, and baseball memorabilia before the settlement. Judge Lewis Liman found Giuliani in contempt in January 2025 for failing to provide complete financial information and asset documentation.
What Are The Recent Court Developments In Rudy Giuliani Litigation?
January 2025 Contempt Rulings
Federal Judge Lewis Liman held Giuliani in contempt on January 6, 2025, for failing to properly respond to asset turnover requests. The judge ruled Giuliani “willfully violated a clear and unambiguous order” by missing a December 20 deadline.
Liman excluded Giuliani from offering testimony about emails or texts to establish Florida residency and made adverse inferences about gaps in evidence. Giuliani turned over a 1980 Mercedes-Benz but not the car’s title, and failed to locate a signed Joe DiMaggio jersey.
A second judge in Washington, D.C. also found Giuliani in contempt for continuing to defame Freeman and Moss by repeating false election fraud claims.
Dominion Voting Systems Settlement
Dominion Voting Systems and Giuliani agreed to a confidential settlement in September 2025, permanently dismissing the $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit. The filing stated each party would bear their own legal fees but did not disclose payment terms.
Dominion sued Giuliani in 2021 after he led efforts to claim the company conspired to flip votes to Biden. Giuliani repeated these assertions more than 50 times on television and during legislative hearings without presenting court-admissible proof.
This settlement follows Dominion’s $787 million agreement with Fox News in 2023 and a $67 million settlement with Newsmax.
Presidential Pardon Impact
President Trump issued “full, complete, and unconditional” pardons on November 10, 2025, to Giuliani and others accused of backing efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The pardon document explicitly states it does not apply to Trump himself.
Presidential pardons only cover federal crimes, and Giuliani was never charged federally despite being named as an unindicted co-conspirator in special counsel Jack Smith’s case. State prosecutions in Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Nevada remain unaffected by the pardon.
What Are The Specific Allegations Against Rudy Giuliani?
Election Worker Defamation Claims
Giuliani was found liable for defaming Freeman and Moss by falsely accusing them of committing election fraud in 2020. He claimed the women were “passing USB ports” (later revealed to be ginger mints) and manipulating ballots.
Freeman testified there was “nowhere I feel safe” after the falsehoods resulted in death threats and harassment from Trump supporters. The jury found Giuliani liable for defamation, civil conspiracy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
False Election Claims
The Arizona indictment alleges Giuliani spread false election fraud claims and pressured Maricopa County officials and state legislators to change election outcomes. At a seven-hour Georgia Senate hearing in December 2020, Giuliani and John Eastman made false claims alleging fraud and misconduct.
Giuliani allegedly encouraged Republican electors in Arizona and six contested states to vote for Trump despite Biden’s certified victories. Biden won Arizona by 10,457 votes.
Dominion Defamation Allegations
Dominion’s lawsuit accused Giuliani of claiming the company manipulated votes and conspired with the Venezuelan government to rig elections. Giuliani repeated these claims across multiple platforms including television shows, podcasts, and radio interviews.
Dominion argued his false statements damaged its reputation, endangered employees, and cost the company massive contracts.
What Are The Legal Implications Of These Cases?
Disbarment And Professional Consequences
Giuliani has been disbarred in Washington, D.C., and New York over his advocacy of Trump’s election claims. He lost his New York license in 2024, followed by formal disbarment in Washington three months later.
A New York judge ordered Giuliani to pay $1.36 million in legal fees in September 2025 for unpaid bills to his former defense attorneys.
Financial Impact
Giuliani’s net worth is estimated at $10 million including real estate holdings. He filed for bankruptcy after the $148 million verdict but a judge dismissed the case in July 2024 due to lack of transparency.
Despite multiple court orders, Giuliani struggled to comply with asset turnover requirements, claiming he’s been “having trouble making ends meet”.
Ongoing Criminal Liability
The Georgia RICO charges carry serious penalties and could result in prison time if convicted. Giuliani is not currently in jail and remains free on bond while cases proceed.
The Arizona case restart creates uncertainty about whether charges will proceed given the lengthy delay and political climate changes.
When Are Key Hearings Or Decisions Scheduled?
Georgia prosecutors must be assigned by November 14, 2025, to continue the RICO case. No trial date has been set since Willis’s disqualification.
The Arizona trial was scheduled for January 5, 2026, before the case was sent back to a new grand jury. The prosecution restart timeline remains unclear after two years of litigation.
All defamation cases involving Freeman, Moss, and Dominion have been resolved through confidential settlements as of September 2025.
What Are Realistic Outcomes For Each Case?
Georgia RICO Prosecution
The case faces significant hurdles with Willis’s disqualification and lengthy delays. Political pendulum shifts and fading public attention to election fraud claims complicate prosecution. The new prosecutor must decide whether to proceed with charges or negotiate plea agreements.
Conviction on RICO charges could result in substantial prison time, but the presidential pardon (though not applicable to state crimes) may influence jury perception.
Arizona Fake Elector Case
The case must restart from scratch after prosecutors failed to present complete legal context to the grand jury. Giuliani’s legal team will likely argue the pardon, though inapplicable to state crimes, demonstrates federal recognition that his conduct was lawful.
Giuliani’s attorney argued he was exercising free speech rights and petitioning government when challenging election results.
Settled Defamation Cases
The Freeman-Moss judgment has been fully satisfied with undisclosed compensation terms. The Dominion settlement permanently dismissed claims with confidential terms.
Both settlements allowed Giuliani to avoid admitting liability while resolving massive financial exposure.
How Do The Different Cases Relate To Each Other?
All cases stem from Giuliani’s role as Trump’s attorney challenging 2020 election results. The fake elector schemes Giuliani spearheaded spanned seven states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Giuliani and John Eastman planned the false elector strategy with Trump campaign awareness, despite internal doubts from other campaign staff. Eleven Arizona Republicans signed documents falsely claiming Trump won, with Giuliani presiding over meetings where these plans developed.
The defamation cases arose from Giuliani’s specific false claims about Freeman, Moss, and Dominion while promoting broader election fraud narratives. These claims undermined public confidence in elections and triggered death threats against election officials.
What Are Common Misconceptions About Rudy Giuliani Lawsuits?
Misconception #1: Trump’s pardon resolved all of Giuliani’s legal problems
Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes, and Giuliani was never charged federally. State prosecutions in Georgia and Arizona continue regardless of the pardon.
Misconception #2: Settling means admitting guilt
Giuliani’s settlement statements explicitly state they “do not involve an admission of liability or wrongdoing”. Civil settlements often occur without liability admissions.
Misconception #3: Giuliani has already paid all judgments
While the Freeman-Moss judgment was satisfied by February 2025, the Dominion settlement terms remain confidential. It’s unclear what compensation Giuliani paid in either settlement.
Misconception #4: All cases have concluded
The Georgia RICO case awaits new prosecutor assignment, and the Arizona case must restart with a new grand jury. Criminal prosecutions remain active.
Recent Updates Affecting Rudy Giuliani Litigation (2024-2025)
January 2025: Settlement with Freeman and Moss allows Giuliani to keep homes and personal belongings. Two federal judges find him in contempt for asset compliance failures and continued defamation.
February 2025: Court filing confirms Giuliani “fully satisfied” the Freeman-Moss judgment.
May 2025: Arizona judge orders case back to new grand jury after prosecutors failed to present Electoral Count Act.
September 2025: Confidential settlement with Dominion Voting Systems ends $1.3 billion lawsuit.
November 2025: President Trump pardons Giuliani and others involved in 2020 election challenges, though pardon doesn’t cover state charges. November 14 deadline for Georgia to assign new prosecutor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rudy Giuliani Lawsuits
Q: What is the latest Rudy Giuliani lawsuit status today?
Giuliani settled his $146 million defamation case with Georgia election workers in January 2025. He reached a confidential settlement with Dominion Voting Systems in September 2025. The Georgia RICO case remains pending with a new prosecutor to be assigned by November 14, 2025. The Arizona fake elector case must restart with a new grand jury.
Q: What are the specific allegations against Rudy Giuliani?
In the defamation case, Giuliani falsely accused Freeman and Moss of committing election fraud. Georgia RICO charges allege he made false election fraud claims and organized fake elector schemes. Arizona charges include conspiracy, fraud, and forgery for allegedly pressuring officials to change election outcomes. Dominion alleged he falsely claimed the company manipulated votes and rigged elections.
Q: What are the potential outcomes for Rudy Giuliani?
The Georgia RICO case could result in prison time if convicted, though prosecution faces delays after Willis’s disqualification. The Arizona case must restart, creating uncertainty about whether charges will proceed. Both defamation cases settled confidentially without admitting liability. Trump’s pardon doesn’t affect state charges but may influence public perception.
Q: When are key hearings scheduled?
A new Georgia prosecutor must be assigned by November 14, 2025. The Arizona case timeline is unclear as it must restart with a new grand jury. All defamation cases have been settled.
Q: How do Trump’s pardons affect Giuliani’s cases?
Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes, and Giuliani was never charged federally. State prosecutions in Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada remain unaffected. The pardon may be cited in Giuliani’s defense but doesn’t provide legal protection against state charges.
Q: Has Rudy Giuliani paid the defamation judgments?
The Freeman-Moss judgment was fully satisfied by February 25, 2025, according to federal court filings. Settlement terms remain confidential but allowed Giuliani to keep his homes and personal belongings. The Dominion settlement terms are also confidential.
Q: What recent court rulings affect Rudy Giuliani?
Two federal judges held him in contempt in January 2025 for failing to comply with asset orders and continuing defamation. The Georgia Court of Appeals disqualified District Attorney Fani Willis in December 2024. An Arizona judge sent the case back to a new grand jury in May 2025. Giuliani was disbarred in both New York and Washington, D.C.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Case details, legal implications, and outcomes vary by individual circumstances and applicable law. Consult official court resources or a qualified attorney for specific guidance regarding any Rudy Giuliani litigation.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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