Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee ruled Friday that District Attorney Fani Willis can on the case against former US President Donald Trump — investigating Georgia election interference — on the condition that special prosecutor Nathan Wade must step down.
“[T]he established record now highlights a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team — an appearance that must be removed through the State’s selection of one of two options. The Defendants’ motions are therefore granted in part,” Judge McAfee said in a 23-page ruling.
The case investigating Donald Trump’s role in Georgia’s election in 2020 was marred by a romantic relationship between Fani Willis and Nathan Wade. The case is yet to commence after the matter of the prosecutor team is resolved.
According to the defendants, Willis hired her partner to trial against Trump and since then taken benefits from his appointment, including their vacations abroad.
Ashleigh Merchant — one of the attorneys of the co-defendants in Georgia — filed a reference, calling “underqualified”, and asking to dismiss the “indictment”.
Defence lawyers also alleged Wade and Willis of falsifying their relationship before the court.
Willis — who is a Democrat — in a testimony in February denied allegations and called the proceedings an attempt to distract the American public.
“You think I’m on trial,” Willis said to Merchant, while Looking toward the defense table, she went on: “These people are on trial for trying to steal an election.”
However, she acknowledged the romantic relationship but said that it started in 2022 after Wade worked for the district attorney’s office. The relationship ended before the indictment in August.