Accusations of Inappropriate Relationship Fuel Calls to Remove Fulton County DA from Trump Case
In a shocking turn of events, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is facing accusations of an inappropriate relationship with a special prosecutor she hired to seek convictions of Donald Trump and others for interfering in Georgia’s 2020 election. These allegations have ignited renewed calls to remove Willis from the case, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of the prosecution.
The allegations were first made public in a motion filed by defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who represents former Trump campaign staffer and White House aide Michael Roman. Merchant claims that Willis’ office paid the special prosecutor, Nathan Wade, large sums of money and that Willis herself improperly benefited when Wade paid for them to go on vacations together. While no concrete proof of the alleged relationship has been presented, credit card records submitted in Wade’s divorce case show that he purchased plane tickets for Willis to travel with him to Miami and San Francisco.
Willis, an elected Democrat, has staunchly defended her decision to hire Wade and has not directly denied the romantic relationship. However, she has shown no signs of stepping down from the case. This has led many to question what actions could be taken to address these allegations and ensure a fair and unbiased prosecution.
One option available is for Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to remove both Willis and Wade from any further involvement in the case. Judge Robert McBurney had previously taken similar action in July 2022 when presiding over the special grand jury investigation that preceded the indictment in the election case. He ruled that Willis had a conflict of interest due to her hosting a fundraiser for a Democratic opponent of one of the targets in the case. McAfee has the power to make a similar ruling, which would require the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia to find a new prosecutor to handle the case.
Finding a suitable replacement could prove challenging, as only a few district attorneys in the state have the necessary resources to handle such a high-profile case. Former Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter warns that it may be difficult to find a prosecutor willing and able to take on the sprawling case.
Another possibility is for Willis to recuse herself from the case voluntarily. However, in this scenario, her entire office would likely have to step away as well. If this were to happen, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council would once again be responsible for finding a new prosecutor.
Attorney Norm Eisen, who served as former President Barack Obama’s ethics czar, believes that there is no legal basis under Georgia law to disqualify Willis or Wade. However, he suggests that it would be wise for Wade to voluntarily step down from the case due to the distraction caused by the allegations. Eisen emphasizes the overwhelming amount of evidence justifying the decision to prosecute Trump and his co-conspirators.
Many Republicans are calling for an investigation of Willis by Georgia’s Prosecuting Attorneys Qualification Commission. However, the commission’s rules have not been approved by the state Supreme Court. Lawmakers are currently seeking to remove the court’s required approval, allowing the commission to begin operating. If the commission were to investigate Willis, it could potentially remove her from office or discipline her for a conflict of interest or misconduct.
Impeaching and removing Willis is another suggestion put forth by a few lawmakers, including former President Donald Trump. However, impeachments in Georgia are rare and require a two-thirds majority in the state Senate. With Republicans currently lacking that majority, it would be challenging to convict Willis.
The State Bar of Georgia, which regulates lawyers, could also potentially take action against Willis if she is found to have violated any rules. However, it remains unclear how the bar’s rules against conflicts of interest would apply in this case.
Other consequences could include budget cuts by Fulton County commissioners or disciplinary actions by the county Board of Ethics. However, the county’s government does not appear to prohibit consensual relationships, making it difficult for these bodies to take significant action against Willis.
Republican state Senator Greg Dolezal has proposed a special Senate committee to investigate Willis, aiming to ensure transparency and accountability in the justice system. Dolezal’s resolution suggests that legal or budget changes could follow any inquiry.
As the accusations continue to swirl and calls for Willis’ removal grow louder, the fate of the prosecution against Trump and others remains uncertain. The case highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of the justice system and ensuring that all parties involved are free from conflicts of interest.
