The deadline for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to respond to allegations about her “inappropriate” relationship with Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade and possible misuse of county funds is rapidly approaching.
Former President Donald Trump's co-defendant Michael Roman said earlier this month that Willis had unfairly benefited from a “lucrative” contract he gave his girlfriend, Wade, as special prosecutor in the extortion case against Trump. claimed for the first time. His motion asserted that Willis did not have permission from the county to appoint Wade, and that Wade used money earned from the position to take Willis on vacation.
Judge Scott McAfee set a Friday deadline for Willis to respond to the allegations contained in Roman's motion ahead of a hearing on the matter scheduled for Feb. 15. Willis is also required to respond to Fulton County Commissioner Bob Ellis' request for information regarding the case on Friday. Potential “misuse” of county funds.
Here are six questions that remain unanswered by Friday.
What is her relationship with Nathan Wade?
Wade filed for divorce from his wife on November 2, 2021, the day after his contract with the district attorney's office began. Willis has not denied allegations that he was involved in an “inappropriate and secret personal relationship” with Wade. Instead, she responded with her own accusation.
In her remarks at Big Bethel AME Church, she suggested racism was behind the allegations. She also falsely claimed that all three special prosecutors were paid the same hourly rate.
In a petition to the court to quash a subpoena to testify in Wade's divorce case, Willis alleges that his wife, Jocelyn Wade, has “used the legal process to harass and embarrass” the ongoing Trump lawsuit. He claimed that he was interfering with the
Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne Said Willis told her, “You're just bullying me.” [Wade] Because he’s black,” when she expressed concern about his spending.
How much did Nathan Wade spend on vacations and trips with Willis?
Bank statements included in Wade's divorce filing confirm that Wade spent money on Willis and provide support for claims regarding vacations they took together, but these allegations The scope of the gift is unknown.
Bank statements revealed that Wade bought a ticket to Miami for $477 and a ticket to San Francisco for $817 on Willis. On October 4, 2022, the same day he purchased the Miami ticket, he also made two payments of $1,387 and $1,284 for a Royal Caribbean cruise.
It is unclear whether Mr. Willis accompanied Mr. Wade on his cruise. Roman's complaint alleges that “Willis and Wade have personally traveled to places such as Napa Valley, California, Florida, and the Caribbean, and that Wade has traveled on both Norwegian and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for them. I bought a ticket to ride.''
Why did Mr. Willis keep secret from the Fulton County Commission how much money he was spending investigating Mr. Trump?
Roman's complaint alleges that Willis must get approval from the Fulton County Commission before appointing a special prosecutor, and that Wade has given funds to clear the backlog of cases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He claimed to have used it to pay for. Two commissioners acknowledged that she has not passed the board, but whether the board's permission is required is a point of contention.
Nevertheless, Willis has not provided an explanation, and Commissioner Bob Ellis previously told the DCNF that he was “relatively adamant” in providing information on how much money was spent on Trump's legal proceedings. He said he had done so.
Commissioner Bridget Thorne too. Said A recent board meeting revealed Willis' lack of transparency.
“I asked her how much this election interference case is hurting the county,” she said. “The answer I got was, 'Lady Justice is priceless.'”
Why did she pay Nathan Wade more than the state's top extortion expert?
Willis gave Wade a $250-an-hour contract, but contracts and invoices obtained by DCNF show Willis only paid the state's top extortion expert $150 to $200 an hour. It became clear that there was not.Although Wade reportedly has little or no experience prosecuting RICO cases, Floyd has written a book on federal and state RICO laws and has previously worked We speak with Mr. Willis about the RICO lawsuit involving Atlanta public educators.
The deal undermines Willis' claim that he paid all three special prosecutors the same hourly rate.
Ellis' request also asks Willis to describe the “professional experience” of each special prosecutor used by the district attorney's office.
What was Nathan Wade's law partner hired to do?
Wade's law partner, Christopher Campbell, has earned $126,070 from the district attorney's office per county since 2021. record. His former law partner, Terrence Bradley, paid $74,480 from the District Attorney's Office starting in 2021;
Nothing is known about Bradley's contract, but Campbell was hired in January 2021 as a “taint lawyer” for $150 an hour. He is the person who scrutinizes materials obtained from search warrants to ensure that privileged evidence is not handed over to prosecutors. , pursuant to a contract obtained by DCNF.
It remains unclear what cases Mr. Campbell was working on and why he was given a separate contract to serve as a “first appearance attorney” from March 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021. , thereby allowing Mr. Campbell to represent the defendant in the district attorney's office. The first court hearing will take place within 72 hours of the arrest.
Both men have also donated to Willis' campaign, with Campbell contributing $1,000 and Bradley $4,050.
Why didn't she reveal the plane ticket that Wade paid for?
Mr. Willis did not disclose in his 2022 financial disclosure statement a $477 plane ticket to Miami that Mr. Wade purchased in his name that year. The form, which must be completed by elected officials under the Fulton County Code of Ethics, requires disclosure of “gifts or favors totaling more than $100 from a single prohibited source.”
Prohibited sources include anyone “doing business with the county.” Legal and ethics experts told DCNF that Willis should have disclosed the payments, but it is unclear why he did not.
Her disclosure also did not include any other gifts or time off, although there is still no concrete evidence that she received it.
The District Attorney's Office did not respond to a request for comment.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
