Court enters default judgment against Giuliani for defaming Freeman and Moss

Date: 2023-08-30
Entry type: defamation-liability
Current status: Liability established; damages later fixed by jury and final judgment

The sanction resolved liability after repeated discovery failures; a jury still had to decide damages.

Entities and roles

Donald J. Trumppersonal attorneyRudy Giuliani
legalpoliticaldocumented2 sourcesCited claim 1

factfound-liable
Judge Beryl Howell entered default judgment on liability for Freeman and Moss because Giuliani failed to comply with discovery orders, while deeming factual elements established for the damages trial. The opinion did not use default as a criminal penalty; it was a civil discovery sanction that left compensatory and punitive damages for a jury.
- Sidley Austin (court opinion reproduction): Reproduction of Freeman v. Giuliani default-judgment opinionPages 1–4 and 45–57: discovery failures, sanction, scope of default, and damages issues reserved
- FindLaw (court opinion reproduction): Freeman v. Giuliani: reproduction of final judgment and fees opinionDecember 2023 jury verdict and stipulated final judgment