Rudy Giuliani's Lawyer Shifts Blame to Gateway Pundit in Defamation Case

Legal Maneuvering

In a strategic move during the closing arguments of the defamation lawsuit, Joseph Sibley, Rudy Giuliani's defense attorney, sought to distance his client from the threats faced by falsely accused Georgia election workers. Sibley strategically shifted blame towards St. Louis-based Gateway Pundit, emphasizing the alleged role of the right-wing website in the controversy. This maneuver aimed to mitigate Giuliani's culpability by portraying him as a peripheral figure in the dissemination of unfounded election fraud allegations.

Gateway Pundit's Alleged Role

Sibley argued that Giuliani played a minor role in the unfounded election fraud allegations, placing greater responsibility on Gateway Pundit. He specifically referred to the website as "patient zero" in spreading the conspiracy theory that falsely implicated election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss. The defense attempted to downplay Giuliani's involvement in the situation, portraying him as a secondary figure. Sibley contends that the bulk of responsibility lies with Gateway Pundit, attempting to sway the perception of Giuliani's impact on the events in question.

Jury Verdict and Ongoing Legal Saga

Despite Joseph Sibley's efforts to minimize Giuliani's culpability, the jury rendered a significant verdict, ordering Giuliani to pay over $148 million in damages for reputational harm and emotional distress caused to Freeman and Moss. The legal saga doesn't conclude with this verdict, as Moss and Freeman continue their pursuit of justice by filing separate defamation and emotional distress lawsuits against Gateway Pundit in St. Louis Circuit Court, underscoring the enduring impact of false accusations in the public sphere. The verdict highlights the complexities of assigning blame in cases involving prominent figures, media entities, and the broader implications of their actions.