Although no decision is expected on Friday on whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis will be removed in the election interference case involving former President Donald Trump and others, attorneys continue to argue. A Georgia state judge heard closing arguments Friday on allegations that Willis’ romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade benefited her financially and disqualified her from the election interference case against former President Trump. Adam Abatte claimed that efforts to remove Willis were tantamount to harassment.
Several news outlets reported on Abbate’s halting speaking style throughout the hearing. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, for example, noted “long pauses and halting answers as he at times struggled to answer questions from Judge Scott McAfee” and even suggested that Willis “seemed eager to step up to the podium and argue the matter herself.”
Tur spoke with legal expert Melissa Redmon about the ongoing case that has diverted attention away from Trump’s legal problems, noting that Redmon had previously served as the Deputy District Attorney for Fulton County.
Who is Adam Abatte?
Adam Abatte, Fulton County Chief Deputy District Attorney, is among those arguing in favor of Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
Adam Abatte is the chief deputy district attorney for Fulton County’s major crimes division, according to his biography on the Fulton County government website.
Abatte has more than ten years of legal experience and has handled felony criminal cases, including “difficult and high-profile cases in Georgia’s most demanding setting as a prosecutor,” according to his biography.
He has also worked as a prosecutor in the Cobb and Atlanta Judicial Circuits, beginning as an assistant solicitor general for the Cobb Judicial Circuit. Before becoming a prosecutor, Abatte worked as a private practice attorney in Georgia, representing clients in criminal defense cases.
“While serving the community as a prosecutor, Adam has handled hundreds of felony cases from arrest to trial, including high profile murder prosecutions and death penalty litigation,” his biography states.
Abatte has received several awards, including Trial Division Lawyer of the Year in 2015, Major Case Lawyer of the Year in 2017, and the Lewis Slaton Highest Achievement Award in 2018.
Abatte’s bio states that he has worked in several divisions of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, including the Trial Unit, Crimes Against Women and Children Division, and Major Case Homicide Unit.
He graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law after earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration at UGA.