The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s Georgia election interference case stated that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could be disqualified due to alleged misconduct involving her hiring her lover as special counsel.
According to ABC News, “Willis and Wade, along with a number of employees in the DA’s office, have been subpoenaed to testify Thursday by Trump co-defendant Michael Roman, who last month filed a motion seeking to dismiss the election charges against him and disqualify Willis.”
Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee said, “The state has admitted a relationship existed. And so what remains to be proven is the existence and extent of any financial benefit.”
“Because I think it’s possible that the facts alleged by the defendant could result in disqualification, I think an evidentiary hearing must occur to establish the record on those core allegations,” he continued.
“I think the issues at point here are whether a relationship existed, whether that relationship was romantic or non-romantic in nature, when it formed, and whether it continues,” added Judge McAfee.
“And that’s only relevant because it’s in combination with the question of the existence and extent of any personal benefit conveyed as a result of their relationship,” explained the judge.
It appears that Fani Willis has failed to block a hearing into her alleged conflict of interest. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee is quoted as saying “Because I think it's possible that the facts alleged by the defendant could result in disqualification, I think an…
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) February 12, 2024
An evidentiary hearing is necessary to establish the existence and extent of the relationship and any financial benefit.
If proven, Willis and Wade could face bar or criminal charges.
Allegations suggest that they lied about the timeline of their relationship, which could have a devastating impact on the case.
George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley wrote, “Willis and Wade have more to fear than disqualification if they knowingly filed false statements with the Court. Indeed, they can look to their own case on how such filings can result in bar or criminal charges.”
Michael Roman’s attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, claimed Wade’s former divorce attorney, “has non-privileged, personal knowledge that the romantic relationship between Wade and Willis began prior to Willis being sworn as the district attorney for Fulton County, Georgia in 2021.”
“Thus Bradley can confirm that Willis contracted with Wade after Wade and Willis began a romantic relationship, thus rebutting Wade’s claim in his affidavit that they did not start dating until 2022,” continued Merchant.
Adding that, “since Willis and Wade were not forthright about their relationship in the first instance, there is no reason to believe they are telling the truth now.”
“Notably, the defendants in the Georgia [election interference] case include those charged with making false statements and filing false documents. If Willis or Wade has now done so, the political and legal impact on the case would be devastating,” wrote Turley in response.
Trump plans to attend Thursday’s hearing on the matter.
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