Atlanta, GA – Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has publicly acknowledged having a personal relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, amid efforts by former President Donald Trump and a co-defendant to have them disqualified from the election interference case in Georgia.
In a 176-page filing, Willis addressed the allegations by asserting that the personal relationship between members of the prosecution team does not constitute a disqualifying conflict of interest or harm to a criminal defendant. She also argued that the relationship has not compromised their ability to oversee the case.
The filing also addressed the allegations made by Trump co-defendant Michael Roman, stating that they were “salacious and garnered media attention they were designed to obtain,” and refuted the claims made by Trump and his co-defendant in the case.
In an affidavit included in the filing, Wade acknowledged his personal relationship with Willis, but stated that it did not exist at the time of his hiring. He also addressed personal trips taken together and stated that they roughly split the cost of travel.
The response from Willis sets the stage for a hearing on Feb. 15, scheduled by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, who is presiding over the election case. Roman has issued subpoenas to Willis and Wade to testify at the hearing.
The case has intensified with allegations of a romantic relationship and financial misconduct, prompting Trump and Roman to seek dismissal of the charges. Willis has faced intensifying scrutiny over the alleged relationship in recent weeks, with a resolution to establish a committee to investigate her and articles of impeachment introduced against her in Georgia’s lower chamber.
The controversy surrounding the personal relationship between Willis and Wade has cast a shadow over the high-profile election interference case, as the legal battle continues to unfold.