Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Lead Prosecutor Called to Testify on Relationship Allegations
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and the lead prosecutor she hired for Georgia's 2020 election interference case against former President Trump have been subpoenaed to testify regarding allegations of an improper romantic relationship, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Why it matters: These unsubstantiated claims made by a Trump co-defendant, Mike Roman, have introduced uncertainty around the high-profile case. The accusations have also prompted calls within Georgia's legislature to investigate Willis.
Roman first alleged this in a court filing in early January. Judge Scott McAfee, overseeing the election case, then ordered an evidentiary hearing on February 15th to address the alleged misconduct.
Roman asserts Willis may have violated laws and ethics by allegedly having a relationship with lawyer Nathan Wade when she hired him as chief prosecutor for the election case. He further claimed Willis and Wade improperly financially benefited from Wade's employment on the racketeering indictment.
Citing the alleged conflict of interest, Roman requested dismissal of his indictment and removal of Willis, Wade and their offices from the case. Trump's lawyers also cited the claims when seeking dismissal of the 13 racketeering counts against the former president last week.
Notably, following Roman's accusations, Nathan Wade's estranged wife disclosed financial records in her divorce filings showing Wade purchased two flights with Willis during the election probe, according to reports. Wade's wife had subpoenaed Willis to testify in the divorce case, but that has been stayed by the presiding judge.
Given the allegations, the judge overseeing the divorce unsealed those records. Wade and his wife reached a temporary agreement on Tuesday, avoiding a hearing where Wade may have had to address the alleged relationship.
The subpoenas aim to gather facts around the unproven claims. However, they introduce complications to the already high-profile election interference case against Trump and his allies.
Fani Willis