Fulton County DA Acknowledges Romantic Relationship with Prosecutor Nathan Wade in Trump Case, Pushes Back Against Allegations
In a surprising turn of events, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has officially acknowledged her romantic relationship with lawyer Nathan Wade, who she appointed to lead the prosecution of Donald Trump in Georgia. However, Willis and her legal team are vehemently denying allegations of financial conflicts and are pushing back against calls for her disqualification from the case.
The acknowledgment of the relationship comes in the form of an affidavit by Wade, which is expected to be submitted alongside Willis’ court filing. In the affidavit, Wade states, “In 2022, District Attorney Willis and I developed a personal relationship in addition to our professional association and friendship. I have no financial interest in the outcome of the 2020 election interference case or in the conviction of any defendant. No funds paid to me in compensation for my role as Special Prosecutor have been shared with or provided to District Attorney Willis.”
Willis’ attorneys have responded to the allegations by condemning them as “incredibly inappropriate efforts to intrude into opposing counsel’s personal life with little to no evidentiary value.” They argue that these allegations do not contribute to zealous advocacy or a good faith effort to address disputed legal issues.
The controversy surrounding Willis began when one of Trump’s co-defendants in the Georgia election conspiracy case, Michael Roman, accused her of having an improper relationship with Wade. Roman also alleged that Willis paid Wade over $650,000 for his work and then benefited financially from their relationship through trips to the Caribbean, Miami, and Napa Valley.
Roman’s lawyer, Ashleigh Merchant, filed a motion arguing that Willis should be disqualified from prosecuting the case and that all charges against Roman should be dropped. However, no supporting evidence was provided in the filing. In a separate filing from Wade’s divorce case, his estranged wife, Jocelyn Wade, also alleged a romantic involvement between him and Willis, presenting credit card receipts from Wade’s business account as potential evidence.
Willis’ response to the allegations has created turmoil in her case, with Republicans in the Georgia State Legislature voting to create a special panel to investigate her conduct. However, sources close to Willis have stated that there is “zero chance” of her stepping aside from the Trump case.
Instead, Willis plans to file a response to Roman’s motion, arguing that her relationship with Wade has no impact on the case or her ability to prosecute it. Her filing will emphasize that their relationship developed long after Wade was hired for the position and that they began seeing each other around early to mid-2022. The timing is crucial in countering the suggestion that she hired Wade because of their intimate relationship.
Willis’ team also plans to assert that their personal relationship does not create a conflict of interest under Georgia law, as it does not provide either party with a vested interest in the outcome of the prosecution. Legal scholars have supported this argument, stating that there is currently no evidence to show how Willis would benefit financially from a conviction.
Judge Scott McAfee, presiding over the Trump election interference case, has scheduled an evidentiary hearing for February 15 to consider Roman’s motion. Merchant has issued subpoenas to a dozen witnesses, including Willis and Wade, whom she intends to call to testify at the hearing.
The developments in Wade’s divorce case have provided some reprieve for Willis and Wade, as they settled their divorce case on a temporary basis. This means that for now, neither Willis nor her deputy will have to testify in that case, avoiding potential embarrassing revelations.
The lack of response from Willis and her team thus far has led to intense media coverage and calls for investigations or her resignation from both Republicans and Democrats. However, sources close to Willis explain that they wanted to gather all the facts before responding to avoid contradicting themselves. The delay in response also stems from divisions between the lawyers and the public relations-minded members of Willis’ team.
Despite the initial shock and distress caused by the revelations, Willis is determined to fight her case in court and, if necessary, in the public arena. Those close to her state that she has steadied herself and is prepared to stick it out.
