Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis defended the qualifications of a special prosecutor she hired for her case against Donald Trump and others over efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election on Sunday after a defense lawyer accused her of professional misconduct.
DA Fani Willis vehemently defended her office leadership and rebuffed critics
In her first public remarks since the accusation was made in a court filing, Willis vehemently defended her office leadership and rebuffed critics. She was warmly received by the congregation of Big Bethel AME Church, where she spoke the day before the holiday in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Willis thanked leaders of Atlanta’s historically black church who “didn’t care what they said about me” and told her “the invite was still good” to speak.
“I hope for y’all this week I don’t look like what I’ve been through,” she said.
The allegations were made in a motion filed last week by Ashleigh Merchant, who represents Michael Roman, a former Trump campaign staffer and onetime White House aide. The filing alleges that Willis had an “improper” romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the outside lawyer she hired, and questions Wade’s qualifications for the position.
Merchant claimed in her filing that Willis was secretly dating Wade before and after the district attorney hired him as a prosecutor in Fulton County’s massive RICO case against Trump and 18 other defendants.
The motion seeks to dismiss the indictment and disqualify Willis, Wade, and their offices from further prosecuting the case.
Willis did not respond to the allegations of an inappropriate relationship at the church. She did not speak with reporters following the service.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee stated during a hearing Friday that he is awaiting a response from the district attorney’s office and plans to hold a hearing on the motion in February. Other defense attorneys in the case, including Trump attorney Steve Sadow, have stated that they intend to investigate the allegations before deciding whether to join the motion.
Willis stated that her father, who met and spent time with King, told her that he saw the civil rights leader at his lowest point, saddened by people’s cruelty and lack of support. Her father explained that King “was not a perfect man, but he was a great man, willing to answer God’s call.”
At a low point in the past week, she “penned a letter to my heavenly Father.” She used much of her speech at church as a conversation with God, repeatedly describing herself as flawed, imperfect, and stubborn.
“You did not tell me, as a woman of color, that it would not matter what I did. My motive, my talent, my ability, and my character would be constantly attacked,” she said.
While never mentioning Wade’s name, she described him as a “superstar, a great friend, and a great lawyer
She appeared to choke up at times while discussing the loneliness and stress of her job, saying she has come to believe it is “not normal if I don’t have two death threats a week” and that she is frequently called racial slurs.
She revealed that on Christmas night, she received an emergency call informing her that police had surrounded her home after a man called 911 and claimed to have shot a woman there. She stated that she felt “pure, unimaginable fear,” believing her older daughter had died in her home until the incident was revealed to be “a cruel hoax.”
Willis stated that she hired three special prosecutors for the election case: a white man, a white woman, and a black man. She stated that they are paid the same hourly rate, and no one has questioned the qualifications of the two white lawyers.
While never mentioning Wade’s name, she described him as a “superstar, a great friend, and a great lawyer.” She cited his accomplishments and professional experience, saying, “I’m just asking, God, is it that some will never see a black man as qualified, no matter his achievements?”
Merchant stated in her motion that she can find no evidence that Wade, whose law firm’s website advertises his experience in civil litigation, including car accidents and family law cases, has ever prosecuted a felony. She questioned his qualifications to try the case.
Merchant’s filing provided no proof of the alleged relationship or the trips she claimed Willis and Wade had taken together.
Merchant also claims Willis did not obtain the necessary approval from county leaders to hire Wade, and no special prosecutor’s oath was filed for him.
Pete Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council and a former district attorney, stated that district attorneys are not required to seek permission before hiring a special prosecutor. McAfee previously stated, when another defendant raised the issue, that Wade did not appear to be required to file the oath.
Stephen Gillers, a law professor at New York University, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that if the allegations are true, “Willis was conflicted in the investigation and prosecution of this case.”
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani previously told Business Insider that allegations are “serious” if true, “but they shouldn’t result in the charges against Trump being dismissed.”
“Personal relationships between consenting adults aren’t unlawful. If Willis financially benefited from her relationship with Wade, that may be an ethics violation,” he said. “Criminal conduct prosecution requires the parties to intentionally participate in a kickback scheme.”