ATLANTA — The chairman of a Georgia Senate committee tasked with investigating allegations of misconduct against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said there are whistleblowers in her office who want to speak with the panel.
Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) told reporters Friday that the whistleblowers raised concerns about the potential misuse of state and federal funds by Willis' office. Cowsert said he has not interviewed them yet and that he does not know what information they may have.
Defendants in the Georgia 2020 election case allege that Willis' relationship with Trump special prosecutor Nathan Wade resulted in improper financial benefits for the pair.
They allege Wade used funds from the election case to pay for him and Willis to travel to the Caribbean and Napa Valley. More than half of the defendants seek to have Willis removed from the case, according to defense attorneys and documents reviewed by 11Alive.
Wade and Willis admitted to having a personal relationship that began after his appointment, but they denied misusing taxpayer funds. They allege travel expenses were roughly split.
"The people of Georgia are very troubled by these allegations and it’s important that we have the public’s confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the criminal justice system, and that’s been shaken," Cowsert said.
Cowsert spoke with members of the media following the first meeting of The Senate Special Committee on Investigations. The six Republicans and three Democrats serving on the panel managed to avoid partisan acrimony at least for one day.
The goal of the committee, Cowsert said, is to merely learn the truth.
"This is not going to be a partisan process," he said. "I do not intend for this to become any kind of public media circus. We are serious about the business we are conducting."
The panel lacks the power to sanction Willis but, the senators can subpoena evidence and witnesses. They also have the rare power to require that testimony be given under oath. The committee could produce a report at the end of its investigation that features proposed changes to state law or budgeting to the DA's office.
Asked if it was "a given" that the panel would seek testimony from Willis, Cowsert said: "It's not a given. I will certainly give her the opportunity. And if I were her, I would want to be heard."
If Willis were to testify, Cowsert said Republicans on the committee would have "no prejudgments."
Sen. Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain), the senate's Democratic leader, said during Friday's meeting that she hopes the committee will conduct itself in a responsible manner.
"You go in with the faith that you all can work together. And I hope ... that Sen. Cowsert and the rest of the members will work in good faith," she said.
These are the Senators who are serving on the committee:
- Cowsert
- Greg Dolezal, (R-Cumming)
- Jason Esteves, (D-Atlanta)
- John F. Kennedy, (R-Macon)
- Blake Tillery, (R-Vidalia)
- Harold Jones II, (D-Augusta)
- Bo Hatchett, (R-Cornelia)
- Steve Gooch, (R-Dahlonega)
- Butler
The Senate panel is one of several efforts by Republicans in the state legislature to potentially punish Willis.
Senators approved a bill earlier this week that would revive the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Council. Under the bill, prosecutors could be disciplined and removed from office for willful misconduct and "the willful and persistent failure to carry out duties," among other items.
The commission was created last year and challenged in court. The state Supreme Court refused to adopt the rules, saying it had "grave doubts" that it had the constitutional power to do so.
The Senate bill would remove the requirement that the state Supreme Court approve the rules. House members approved a similar but separate measure that would also remove that requirement. Before Gov. Kemp can approve the measure, the two chambers must agree on one bill.
Rep. Charlice Byrd, a Republican from Woodstock, authored a House Resolution calling for Willis' impeachment. No vote has been taken on the measure. She is the sole sponsor.