Fani Willis, the Fulton County District Attorney, appeared visibly angry as she testified in a trial that would determine her continued involvement in prosecuting allegations of election interference against Donald Trump in Georgia.
The accusation against Willis revolves around her alleged hiring of special prosecutor Nathan Wade, with whom she had a personal relationship. Critics claim that Willis paid Wade $650,000 from public funds to aid in building the case against Trump, while the two have also been accused of enjoying international vacations together, partially funded by public money.
Addressing defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant, Willis expressed her eagerness to address the matter, stating, “It’s ridiculous to me that you lied on Monday and yet here we are.”
Fani Willis (Credits: The Hill)
Both Willis and Wade have asserted that their relationship began only after Wade was appointed to the case. However, a former colleague of Willis, Robin Yeartie, testified that she was certain Willis and Wade had a romantic relationship dating back to a municipal judge conference in 2019, contradicting their claims by three years.
Willis vehemently denied this assertion on the stand, labeling the suggestion as “highly offensive” and characterizing Wade as a “good friend” and “personal mentor.” Additionally, she downplayed her relationship with Yeartie, stating they had minimal contact over the years.
Regarding the financial aspect, Willis claimed she funded her share of the vacations from her personal savings, which could accumulate to $15,000 at times, stored in her home.
Willis: You're confused, you think I'm on trial, these people are on trial for stealing an election in 2020. I'm not on trial. pic.twitter.com/YgARkEgJB6
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 15, 2024
During the proceedings, Willis expressed frustration, particularly when Merchant was accused of dishonesty. This led to a brief recess when Willis angrily pointed out alleged falsehoods in documents presented by Merchant.
Willis’s potential removal from the case could significantly impact one of the four criminal trials Trump faces before the 2024 general election. It could lead to further delays, prolonging the time before Trump faces trial on racketeering charges linked to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.
