WASHINGTON — A Georgia district attorney accused of having an affair with a lawyer he hired to prosecute former President Donald Trump told Congress on Friday on behalf of his alleged lover, saying, “In order to maintain confidentiality, I have not been involved in the case.'' “We are unable to hand over any relevant documents.” case.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who has also been urged by allies to recuse herself from the Trump case over allegations of improper self-dealing, has been asked by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Pa.) (Ohio State) gave a defiant response. reached out to Her alleged mistress, Nathan Wade.
“Dear Mr. Jordan, I am writing to you regarding your letter dated January 12, 2024, to Attorney Nathan Wade, who is employed by our office as a Special Assistant District Attorney.” Willis he wrote to Mr. Jordan, who had requested records from Mr. Wade. In addition to records about contacts with the Biden administration, it also included payments made to him by Willis's office.
“Since your letter requested records from the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, Mr. Wade forwarded your letter to me, the District Attorney, to respond,” Willis wrote.
“Your letter merely restates the requests we have made in previous communications for access to evidence in pending criminal prosecutions in Georgia.
“As previously stated, your request concerns important and well-recognized confidentiality rights related to ongoing criminal matters. Your request is consistent with the principles of separation of powers and federalism. violates and also violates respect for the legal protection afforded to attorneys' work product in ongoing litigation. For a more detailed analysis, please see our previous response to your inquiry.”
On January 8, days after Mr. Trump's co-defendant Michael Roman claimed defeat in court papers, Mr. Jordan sent a letter to Mr. Wade saying the 77-year-old former president and 14 allies had lost the case. The lawsuit, which charges him with crimes, said Willis had a clear conflict of interest. An attempt to illegally change the Peach State's 2020 election results.
Mr. Willis, a Democrat, paid Mr. Wade, his personal attorney, a fee. $654,000 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on an increase in attorney fees starting in January 2022.
Wade is said to have spent some of the funds on vacations for himself and Willis.
The two, who are said to be lovers, have not denied their romantic relationship.
The court hearing is Scheduled for next month To determine if Wade and Willis should be removed from the case.
Mr. Jordan's request for documents from Mr. Wade also sought a range of other materials that Republicans believe could undermine the case, including communications with the White House and the Justice Department.
Jordan also asked Wade:[a]All invoices, including credit card statements and individual refund requests, submitted by you or your law partner to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office in connection with the President Trump investigation.''[a]All contractual and financial arrangements between you and the Fulton County District Attorney's Office related to the investigation of President Trump. ”
Trump, the likely Republican presidential nominee, faces criminal charges in three other cases. These include allegations that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, also a Democrat, falsified business records to hide a 2016 hush-money payment.
Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith remains in power after leaving office in January 2021, facing charges in South Florida for allegedly concealing national security documents and after his loss to Joe Biden. Criminal charges are being filed against Trump in Washington state for allegedly trying to commit a crime.
