New York, NY – Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, faced a federal court decision on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. The verdict, which came as a blow to Giuliani, left him in court standing alone as the plaintiffs embraced each other joyously. The former mayor then packed a bag without looking up, according to NBC News.

Along with the defamation damage award, Giuliani is also facing a series of legal challenges related to his role as the top campaign lawyer for Donald Trump in the efforts to reverse the former president’s election loss. The civil verdict came after Giuliani’s lawyer announced that he would not testify in the case.

The plaintiffs in the case, Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, a mother and daughter, sued Giuliani in 2021 for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy. They claimed that Giuliani’s false statements about them led to non-stop threats and harassment.

Giuliani had previously made public accusations against Freeman and Moss, claiming they were involved in a fraudulent scheme to defraud Trump of an election win. As a result, Freeman testified in court that they received constant threats and that she had to leave her home for two months at the recommendation of the FBI.

Giuliani’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the former mayor has vowed to appeal the damages figure, calling it “absurd.” This latest legal blow adds to the mounting challenges Giuliani faces in the aftermath of the 2020 election.