Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is facing contempt of court charges for a second time this week, this time in a Washington, D.C. court. A federal judge lambasted Giuliani for continuing to attack election workers he previously defamed, despite a court order prohibiting such statements.
Giuliani's latest actions stem from a 2023 defamation lawsuit judgment, where he was ordered to stop spreading false claims about the election workers' alleged misconduct. He now faces potential fines for each violation.
Judge Beryl Howell, citing the "baseless whining" of Giuliani, underscored the significant harm caused by his repeated false accusations. Giuliani, in turn, labelled the judge as "bloodthirsty" and "biased" before the hearing.
This isn't Giuliani's first brush with contempt. Just days earlier, a Manhattan judge found him in contempt for failing to comply with discovery requests and ignoring court deadlines in a separate property dispute case. This latest contempt order further complicates his legal battles.
Attorneys for the election workers are demanding sanctions against Giuliani, requesting a substantial fine for each instance of violating the court's order. They argue his actions constitute a brazen disregard for the court's rulings and the harm inflicted on the plaintiffs.
Giuliani's lawyers initially requested remote participation in the hearing, citing medical reasons, but Judge Howell rejected this request, requiring a sworn declaration confirming his inability to travel. Giuliani ultimately withdrew this request, stating his intention to attend another trial if his other case concludes in time.
The ongoing legal battles highlight Giuliani's continued propagation of unfounded election-related claims, despite legal repercussions. His actions follow a pattern of spreading false narratives regarding the 2020 presidential election, which have fueled harassment against election officials.
The defamation suit, which resulted in a $148 million judgment against Giuliani, underscores the serious consequences of spreading false and damaging information. This latest contempt action underscores the judicial commitment to upholding truth and accountability in legal proceedings.
