Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has refused to cooperate with a Georgia Senate committee investigating her, alleging that the probe is politically motivated and without legal basis. The Georgia Court of Appeals has agreed to review Willis's disqualification from the Trump election interference case, which has been entangled in allegations of an improper relationship between Willis and her former lead prosecutor.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has made it clear that she will not cooperate with a Georgia Senate investigation into her conduct, declaring the probe "unlawful" and politically driven.
Willis's defiance comes as former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants in the election interference case in Georgia continue to fight for her disqualification, alleging an improper relationship with her former lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade.
The Georgia Court of Appeals has agreed to review Judge Scott McAfee's ruling that allowed Willis to remain on the Trump case. McAfee had previously ordered Wade to be removed due to an "appearance of impropriety" stemming from his relationship with Willis.
Trump and his co-defendants have alleged that Willis and Wade had a romantic relationship prior to his hiring and that she financially benefited from it. Willis and Wade have denied the allegations.
In his March ruling, Judge McAfee said that the defendants had failed to prove that Willis had an actual conflict of interest, but he acknowledged an "appearance of impropriety" due to their close relationship.
McAfee gave Willis two options: step aside with her entire office or have Wade withdraw from the case. Wade subsequently resigned.
In February, Judge McAfee held a two-day evidentiary hearing, during which the defense presented evidence to support their claims of a conflict of interest. McAfee ultimately ruled in Willis's favor, but allowed the defendants to appeal.
The Georgia Court of Appeals has agreed to hear the defense's case, opening up the possibility of Willis's disqualification.
Willis and Wade have claimed that their relationship began in 2022, after Wade was hired. However, this claim conflicts with testimony from Robin Yeartie, a former friend of Willis who worked in the DA's office.
Yeartie testified that she believes Willis and Wade's relationship began in 2019, after they met at a conference.
Willis and her office are leading the sweeping racketeering cases against Trump and 18 co-defendants. The charges stem from allegations of election interference in the 2020 presidential election.
The disqualification proceedings have cast a shadow over the racketeering case, potentially undermining Willis's ability to prosecute it.
Trump's lawyer, Steve Sadow, expressed optimism about the appeals process, saying that Trump "looks forward to presenting arguments to the court as to why the case should be dismissed and Willis should be disqualified."
The outcome of the appeals court ruling will have a significant impact on the direction of the Trump election interference case and the future of Willis's role as Fulton County District Attorney.
