Rudy Giuliani Absent from Pretrial Hearing in Defamation Case

Judge Expresses Dissatisfaction as Giuliani's Lawyer Takes Responsibility for Oversight

Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and personal attorney to former President Donald Trump, failed to appear in court for a pretrial hearing in a defamation case brought against him by two Georgia poll workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.
Judge Beryl A. Howell presiding over the case expressed her dissatisfaction with Giuliani's absence, questioning his lawyer, Joseph Sibley, who took responsibility for the oversight.
Giuliani has been found liable for defaming Freeman and Moss by falsely accusing them of engaging in voter fraud during the 2020 election. The upcoming trial is to determine the damages he must pay.
Freeman and Moss, who testified before the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, claim they feared for their lives due to harassment following Giuliani's false accusations.
The defamation trial is set to begin next week, with jury selection starting on Monday.