New Lead in Trump Election Case After DA’s Removal
Peter J. Skandalakis, the Executive Director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, has stepped in to manage the 2020 election interference case against former President Donald Trump. This move comes after a conflict of interest forced the removal of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
The Georgia Court of Appeals determined that Willis had a romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor she appointed, leading to concerns about impartiality. Skandalakis stated he took on this role because he couldn’t find another prosecutor without a conflict.
“Several prosecutors were contacted, and while all were respectful and professional, each declined the appointment,” Skandalakis explained.
Though he could have let the Friday deadline pass without naming a replacement, that choice posed a risk of the case being dismissed entirely. He expressed the importance of the public’s interest in the case’s outcome.
“It is important that someone make an informed and transparent determination about how best to proceed,” he noted.
On October 29th, Skandalakis received a substantial amount of documents from the Fulton County District Attorney’s office, which included 101 banker boxes and an eight-terabyte hard drive filled with investigative materials.
He intends to review these materials thoroughly before making any decisions on whether to continue or drop the prosecution, especially after a prolonged period of trying to find a suitable replacement.
“My only objective is to ensure that this case is handled properly, fairly, and with full transparency,” he concluded.
This case pertains to Trump, along with former lawyer Rudy Giuliani and ex-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who are all charged with attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. It seems unlikely that proceedings will move forward while Trump remains in office.
Trump’s defense attorney, Steve Sadow, expressed confidence in a fair review, stating, “We remain confident that a fair and impartial review will lead to a dismissal of the case against President Trump.” He also emphasized that this “politically charged prosecution has to come to an end.”
