A Georgia judge confirmed Monday that District Attorney Fani Willis will hold an evidentiary hearing on Thursday for her alleged involvement in an “unjustified” case.
Willis was accused of having an “improper” relationship with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor he hired to help prosecute former President Donald Trump in a massive extortion case related to the 2020 election. . The allegations were first brought by Trump’s co-defendant, Michael Roman, who argues that Willis’s alleged conduct should disqualify her and her team from her case.
Mr. Willis acknowledged his personal relationship with Mr. Wade but denied any conflict of interest and asked the court to cancel an evidentiary hearing scheduled for later this week.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee considered the motions during Monday’s hearing, saying, “Looking at the law that has been submitted to date, if evidence is presented showing an actual conflict or appearance of a conflict; “I think it’s clear that disqualification could occur.” And the submissions filed so far on this issue show inconsistencies in the evidence that cannot be resolved as a matter of law. ”
Fulton County Commissioner Da Fani Willis admits personal relationship with prosecutor but denies conflict of interest
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
“If you look at Roman’s allegations in particular, he alleges that the personal relationship provided financial benefit to the district attorney. And it’s no longer a matter of complete speculation. The state acknowledged that a relationship existed. .And what happens next?The existence and scope of the economic interest has been proven,” the judge said.
“Therefore, I think the facts asserted by the defendant could lead to disqualification, and I think an evidentiary hearing needs to be held to establish the record regarding these core allegations,” he said. Ta.
In a legal filing last month, Roman said in November 2021, shortly after he was appointed special prosecutor, Wade billed Fulton County for 24-hour work days and Willis received taxpayers’ money. He claimed to have benefited financially from his girlfriend’s inflated salary. We go on a luxurious vacation together with his money.
Wade, who has no experience with RICO or felony prosecution, has billed taxpayers $654,000 since January 2022, according to court documents.
Judge McAfee said Monday that the “details” of Wade’s experience will not be relevant to the evidentiary hearing on Thursday, Feb. 15, adding, “In my opinion, as long as the attorney has a heartbeat and a bar card.” The appointment of a lawyer is a matter within the discretion of the district attorney. ”
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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade (Getty Images)
McAfee said the “current” questions here are “whether a relationship existed, whether it was romantic or non-romantic in nature, when it was formed, and whether it continues. And it is only relevant because it is combined with the question of existence.” and the scope of personal benefits conveyed as a result of their relationship. ”
Mr. Willis responded to the allegations in a court filing, acknowledging that he had a “personal” relationship with Mr. Wade but denying any conflict of interest. She also claimed that: According to Georgia law: For a district attorney to be forcibly removed from a case, the conflict of interest must be detrimental to the defendant’s case.
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Ms Willis told the High Court the charges against her were “despicable” but without “reason”. (AP Photo/Bryn Anderson, File)
Ms Willis told the High Court the charges against her were “despicable” but without “reason”.
Willis said that while she and Wade “have been business colleagues and friends since 2019,” there was “no personal relationship” between her and Wade as of November 2021, when Wade was appointed. He claimed that Roman and his lawyers “have not provided any support.” They argue that the prosecutor’s exercise of discretion in this case (i.e., charging decisions and plea bargain recommendations) was influenced by personal relationships. ”
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According to Willis’ filing, Roman’s motion “refuses the completely unremarkable circumstances of Special Counsel Wade’s appointment and the completely unrelated allegations about his personal family life, creating a trumped-up conflict of interest on the part of the district attorney.” “We are trying to summarize it into .”
Judge McAfee ruled that Terrence Bradley, Mr. Wade’s former law partner, would testify first on Thursday and that his testimony would determine whether others would be called to testify.
The state also announced that Willis’ father will testify remotely from California on Thursday.
The court has set aside all day Thursday and Friday for the hearing, and could add more time if needed.
