The far-right conspiracy site Gateway Pundit has reached a settlement in a defamation lawsuit involving two Georgia election workers accused of manipulating the 2020 election results.
According to CNN, Gateway Pundit has settled all claims brought by Ruby Freeman and Shae Moss, the two Georgia election workers who sued the site after being falsely accused of rigging the 2020 election.
The specific terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but the court filing stated that the parties have agreed to resolve "all claims and counterclaims."
Freeman and Moss, who were among several election officials targeted with defamation suits after the 2020 presidential election, had previously won a $148 million judgment against Rudy Giuliani, a former lawyer for Donald Trump, who falsely accused them of wrongdoing.
The Gateway Pundit, known for its partisan and sensational content, also faced legal troubles due to similar allegations. In April, the company attempted to file for bankruptcy, a move that was later dismissed by a federal judge as an abuse of the system.
Settlement Details and the Bankruptcy Bid
The settlement marks the conclusion of one of several lawsuits filed by Freeman and Moss, who sought accountability for the false accusations they faced. Their attorney's statement described the resolution as "fair and reasonable" and expressed satisfaction with the outcome for both parties.
Gateway Pundit, founded by staunch Trump supporter Jim Hoft, has a reputation for spreading baseless conspiracy theories and false claims, often targeting political opponents. Facing mounting pressure from the defamation lawsuits, the company attempted to declare bankruptcy in April, citing financial strain.
However, in July, a federal judge ruled that the bankruptcy filing was an abuse of the system, characterizing it as a strategy to dodge legal liabilities.
The judge's ruling left Gateway Pundit with significant financial exposure, leading to the settlement with Freeman and Moss. The terms of the settlement have not been made public, but it was filed as a mutual agreement to settle all outstanding legal matters.
Ongoing Efforts to Collect on Giuliani's Debt
Freeman and Moss continue to face challenges in their legal battles, as they are still trying to collect the roughly $150 million judgment from Giuliani. Despite winning the case in December, Giuliani has yet to pay any portion of the debt, and Freeman and Moss's legal team are pursuing other means to enforce the ruling.
Lawyers for Freeman and Moss have requested a court order to seize Giuliani's assets, including his multimillion-dollar apartments, a collection of luxury watches, and memorabilia such as New York Yankees World Series rings. Giuliani's reluctance to comply with the judgment has resulted in a significant debt-collection hearing scheduled for next week in federal court in New York.
This upcoming hearing is intended to compel Giuliani to meet his financial obligations as Freeman and Moss continue to fight for compensation following the defamation and harassment they endured after the 2020 election. The ongoing struggle to collect the awarded damages reflects the broader challenges faced by individuals seeking to hold powerful figures accountable for false claims.
Conclusion
The Gateway Pundit's settlement with Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shae Moss marks a key resolution in the ongoing legal battle over false claims made following the 2020 election. Freeman and Moss previously secured a $148 million judgment against Rudy Giuliani, who has yet to pay, leading to continued legal efforts to enforce the ruling. The Gateway Pundit's financial struggles and attempts to avoid liability have underscored the far-reaching consequences of its actions during the post-election period.
