Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could be on the chopping block in Donald Trump’s election case.
Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee says Willis faces “possible” disqualification if her alleged affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade resulted in financial gain. Several DA office employees – including Wills and Wade – were subpoenaed to testify on Feb. 15 by Trump co-defendant Michael Roman. Roman filed a motion in January 2023 to have both prosecutors disqualified from the case since Willis was involved in a “personal, romantic relationship” with Wade.
The DA has admitted to the relationship with Wade, but argued that there were no grounds to dismiss the case or to remove her from the prosecution. According to an affidavit, Wade said the relationship started in 2022 as an add-on to their “professional association and friendship.” In defense of his relationship, Wade claimed he never shared a home, financial accounts, or household expenses with Willis. He described himself and Willis as “financially independent professionals; expenses or personal travel were roughly divided equally between us.”
After the pair’s admission, Roman accused Willis of creating a false narrative of the aspects of the relationship
– including when it began. Judge McAfee said, at this point, it all depends on the evidence. “I think it’s clear that disqualification can occur if evidence is produced demonstrating an actual conflict or the appearance of one,” McAfee said. “The state has admitted a relationship existed. And so what remains to be proven is the existence and extent of any financial benefit, again, if there even was one.”Willis and Wade have pressed to cancel the scheduled hearings, and that their subpoenas to testify
be quashed. Fulton County prosecutor Anna Cross seconded that motion. While Cross acknowledged that the state has yet to interview potential witnesses, she pointed out that none would support what she called “wild speculation” and “gossip.” “This is a serious case. These are serious charges,” Cross said. “The defense is bringing you gossip … and the court should not condone that practice.”Defending her team, Cross said that any charges presented during times Wade and Willis traveled together were evenly split, therefore do not present the said financial conflict presented by the defense.
Wade was accused of billing Fulton County for a day’s work – 24 hours – in November 2021, not long after being appointed as a special prosecutor. In legal filings, Roman alleges Willis was the financial benefactor of that by taking lavish vacations together, expensed by Wade.
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