ATLANTA — Update: The hearing has concluded. Find out more about the testimony here.
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A third Georgia Senate hearing took place on Friday for a special committee's investigation of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
The hearing is related to accusations of potential conflicts of interest and misuse of public funds. This meeting is to inform the committee to "enact new or amend existing laws and/or change state appropriations to restore public confidence in the criminal justice system."
Among those to offer testimony was Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts and Fulton County CFO Sharon Whitmore.
The previous hearing before the special committee, in early March, featured testimony from attorney Ashleigh Merchant.
Senators are expected to meet at 10 a.m. at the Georgia Capitol. 11ALive will stream the conference in the video player above and bellow. Check back for more.
More on the Georgia Senate investigation into Fani Willis
The Senate committee lacks the power to sanction Willis, but the senators can subpoena evidence and witnesses such as Pitts, Whitmore and Merchant. 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.
Merchant is the attorney for Michael Roman, one of the 19 codefendants originally indicted in the case along with former President Donald Trump. She brought the motion in January to disqualify Willis, alleging the relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade that became the focus of extraordinary side proceedings in the Trump case.
Judge Scott McAfee ultimately determined Willis could remain on the case, but as part of his ruling Wade had to resign.
These are the Senators who are serving on the committee investigating Willis:
- Chairman Bill Cowsert (R-Athens)
- Vice Chairman 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)
- Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain)
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