Rudy Giuliani told investigators in 2018 that it was OK to “throw a fake” during campaigns.
The newly revealed comments come from a transcript of Giuliani’s interview with Justice Department investigators who were probing if FBI agents leaked sensitive information to the then-attorney for former President Trump when Trump was running for office in 2016.
The federal investigators were zeroing in on Giuliani’s comments in October 2016 during a Fox News appearance where he teased “some pretty big surprises” in the “next few days” that would help the Trump campaign.
Two days after Giuliani’s television appearance, former FBI Director James Comey announced he was reopening the bureau’s investigation into a private email server 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton used while secretary of State.
The Project on Government Oversight filed legal action to obtain the transcript of Giuliani’s interview with investigators. The watchdog group then provided a copy to The Washington Post.
Giuliani contended that he had “no knowledge of any kind, even gossip” that Comey was set to make such an announcement, which many say contributed to Clinton’s loss in the election.
He told investigators that the surprise he was referring to was a large advertisement purchase.
Later in the interview with investigators, Marc Mukasey, Giuliani’s then-law partner and counselor, said “in the head of a political campaign, on television, I’m not saying Rudy necessarily, but everybody embellishes everything.”
“Oh, you could throw a fake,” Giuliani followed by saying.
Mukasey responded, telling investigators “you’re under no obligation to tell the truth.”
“You should throw a fake,” Giuliani emphasized.
The Hill reached out to Giuliani’s attorneys for comment.
The newly revealed comments come to light as Giuliani faces increasing legal troubles for his efforts to help Trump in his campaign to overturn the 2020 election results.
A judge ruled on Wednesday that Dominion Voting Systems can continue with its lawsuits against Giuliani, pro-Trump lawyer Sidney Powell and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.
The three are all the subject of $1.3 billion defamation lawsuits for allegedly claiming without evidence that the voting machine company rigged the 2020 presidential election in favor of President Biden by tampering with votes.
Additionally, Giuliani’s law licenses in New York and Washington, D.C., have both been suspended.