A legal battle over election misinformation reaches a turning point as a controversial website agrees to settle claims of false reporting.
As CNN reported, Gateway Pundit, a far-right website infamous for spreading conspiracy theories, has settled a defamation lawsuit filed by two Georgia election workers.
Ruby Freeman and Shae Moss brought the defamation lawsuit, which has come to a close, with both parties agreeing to settle all claims and counterclaims.
While the specific terms of the settlement have not been disclosed to the public, the resolution marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the 2020 election.
Attorneys representing Freeman and Moss released a statement addressing the settlement. They emphasized that the dispute had been resolved to the mutual satisfaction of all parties involved, describing the agreement as both fair and reasonable.
The Gateway Pundit, founded by Jim Hoft, has gained notoriety for its publication of sensationalized and partisan content, often veering into the realm of unsubstantiated right-wing conspiracy theories. Hoft himself is known to be a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump.
Prior to the settlement, Gateway Pundit had attempted to declare bankruptcy in April, citing the financial strain caused by the 2020 defamation cases. However, this move was met with skepticism by the courts. In July, a federal judge ruled that the company had acted in bad faith, determining that the bankruptcy filing was an attempt to avoid potentially substantial legal costs associated with the defamation lawsuits.
The judge's decision highlighted concerns about the integrity of Gateway Pundit's financial claims and its use of bankruptcy protections. Despite this setback, the website has chosen to appeal the ruling, indicating ongoing legal challenges for the company.
The settlement between Gateway Pundit and the Georgia election workers is part of a larger landscape of legal actions stemming from the 2020 election. Freeman and Moss have been involved in multiple lawsuits against various entities and individuals who propagated false claims about their role in the election process.
One of the most notable cases involved former New York City mayor and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani. In December, a court ordered Giuliani to pay Freeman and Moss $148 million in damages for defamation. This substantial judgment underscores the serious legal consequences faced by those who spread election misinformation.
Despite the court's decision, Giuliani has yet to pay any of the $150 million owed to Freeman and Moss. The election workers' legal team is currently engaged in efforts to collect the debt through various means. They are seeking to seize Giuliani's assets, including two multimillion-dollar apartments, several New York Yankees World Series rings, and a collection of luxury watches.
The process of debt collection has led to additional legal proceedings. A major hearing regarding these efforts is scheduled for next week in federal court in New York, where the specifics of asset seizure and payment plans may be further discussed.
The settlement between Gateway Pundit and two Georgia election workers marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the 2020 election. The far-right website has agreed to resolve defamation claims brought by Ruby Freeman and Shae Moss, who were falsely accused of election fraud.
