ATLANTA, GEORGIA: The legal battle surrounding the investigation into former President Donald Trump’s election interference is heating up as allegations of an improper relationship between two prosecutors have surfaced. Attorney Ashleigh Merchant, representing defendant Mike Roman, is pushing for the public release of court records that allegedly contain evidence of the prosecutors’ personal relationship. A coalition of 15 media organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is also calling for the unsealing of these records, arguing that it is in the public interest.
Merchant argues that the alleged relationship between the prosecutors, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and special prosecutor Joycelyn Wade, is improper because it financially benefited Willis. Wade’s credit card statements reportedly show purchases of airline tickets for himself and Willis for trips in 2022 and 2023. As a result, Merchant is seeking to have the charges against Roman dismissed and for Willis and the entire Fulton DA’s office to be removed from the case.
The controversy surrounding Willis and Wade has fueled criticism and speculation. Critics, including Trump, have seized the opportunity to question the integrity of the investigation and the prosecutors’ decision-making. Willis has remained silent on the matter, but she is expected to respond to the allegations in a court filing due by February 2. In a recent speech at Atlanta’s Big Bethel AME Church, Willis described herself as imperfect and defended Wade’s credentials, suggesting that attacks against them were racially motivated.
While the allegations continue to swirl, Fulton Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee has scheduled an evidentiary hearing for February 15 to address Roman’s claims. Meanwhile, a hearing related to the Wades’ divorce, originally set for later in the month, has been moved up due to a dispute over Willis’ deposition, which is now scheduled for Tuesday. Willis has sought to quash the subpoena, arguing that her testimony would not be relevant to the divorce proceedings.
The outcome of these legal battles could potentially impact the Trump case and raise further questions about the credibility of the investigation. Legal experts have weighed in, suggesting that Willis should consider temporarily stepping aside to restore focus on the case’s potential criminal liability. However, there is currently no legal basis under Georgia law to disqualify either Willis or Wade from the case. Ultimately, the decision regarding their involvement may have far-reaching implications for the investigation’s legitimacy.