ATLANTA — During a hearing on whether she should be disqualified from the Georgia 2020 election RICO case involving Donald Trump and his alleged co-conspirators, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis admitted to having a past romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade
Willis took the stand Thursday, hoping to clear up what she calls improper characterizations of her relationship with the prosecutor.
As the hearing continues, it's creating a lot of confusion over whether or not it is legal for a district attorney to have a relationship with an appointee. Let's verify.
THE QUESTION
Is it against Georgia law for a district attorney to have a personal relationship with an appointee?
THE SOURCES
- The Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia
- Atlanta Defense Attorney Darryl Cohen
THE ANSWER
No, it is not against Georgia law for a district attorney to have a personal relationship with an appointee.
WHAT WE FOUND
According to Peter Skandalakis, the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia, there is no statute that states it is prohibited to have a relationship with an appointee.
However, defense attorney Darryl Cohen believes that while Willis and Wade's relationship was not illegal, it might raise ethical questions.
It is important to note that the hearing does not focus on the fact the two had a romantic relationship. Instead, it centers around accusations made by the attorney for Trump codefendant, Mike Roman.
Roman and eight others seek to have Willis removed because they allege she financially benefited from the relationship.
The defendants, including former President Donald Trump, allege that Wade used money he received from the election case to pay for vacations that he and Willis took.
"If she hired him strictly because they were dating... and she takes advantage of the money he's being paid... that would not only inappropriate but grounds for recusal," Cohen said. "But the testimony at this point has been other than that, so we'll just have to wait and see. "
If Willis is removed, the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia will select a prosecutor to take over the case. The prosecutor could continue the racketeering prosecution, pursue only some of the charges or drop the case completely.
A Fulton County grand jury indicted Trump and 18 others in August 2023. So far, four people have pleaded guilty. Prosecutors want an August 2024 trial for Trump and the remaining 14 defendants. No trial date has been set.