> he had the opportunity to make that argument, AFAIK, in the compensatory damages phase.

Or in the years between when he started his smear campaign, and the consequences thereof finally catching up to him.

Between this and the Tim Eynman verdict[1] (Who pretty much followed the same legal playbook, up to filing for bankruptcy[2]), it's not been a great week for grifters.

[1] https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/judge-orders-eyman...

[2] And then trying to take back that filing. When he realized that you can't use it to hide your stolen money from the courts. [3]

[3] https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/bankruptcy-judge-a...