ATLANTA (AP) – Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis took the witness stand Thursday to strongly refute what she called a “lie” about her romantic relationship with a special prosecutor during a special hearing on the case. did. Allegations of misconduct Something that might tip over One of four criminal cases against Donald Trump.
Willis, who had originally tried to avoid taking the witness stand, was visibly shaken after previous witnesses said her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade began earlier than they had claimed. agreed to testify. The district attorney's testimony became heated as he was questioned by defense attorneys who sought to remove Willis from the prosecution. President Trump's 2020 election interference scandalAt one point, the prosecutor held up a document in front of her and yelled, “That's a lie!”
“Do you think I'm on trial? “These people are on trial for trying to steal the 2020 election. No matter how much you try to put me on trial, I'm not on trial. Willis told defense attorney Ashley Merchant. At another point, Willis said, “merchant interests are antithetical to democracy.”
Willis is expected to return to the witness stand on Friday and continue to answer questions.
The probing questioning of Ms. Willis and Ms. Wade, who testified before her, underscores the extent to which the prosecutors who promised to hold Mr. Trump accountable are themselves now under the public microscope, and their The revelations about Mr. Trump's private life have been a distraction from Mr. Trump's own actions and issues. Questions have been raised about the future of the incident as President Trump seeks to retake the White House.
The revelation of Willis and Wade's romantic relationship prompted Trump and his Republican allies to question the legitimacy of Willis' lawsuit, which the former president called politically motivated. It is characterized as a thing. Other Republicans have cited them in calling for an investigation into Willis, a Democrat who is up for re-election this year.
Mr. Trump and his co-defendants argue that there is a conflict of interest in the relationship and that Mr. Willis should be removed from the case. Wade tried to downplay the issue, treating himself and Willis as “private individuals.”
“There's nothing secret or sneaky about having a private life,” Wade said. “there is nothing.”
Robin Yearty, a former friend and colleague of Mr. Willis, testified early Thursday that he saw Mr. Willis and Mr. Wade hugging and kissing before he was appointed special prosecutor in November 2021. did. Both Mr. Wade and Mr. Willis began dating in 2022, he testified. , and their relationship ended a few months ago.
During several hours of personal and disturbing testimony, Wade also admitted to having sex with Willis during his separation from his estranged wife, even though he claimed that was not the case in divorce papers.
The confession and Mr. Ierty's testimony could undermine the credibility of prosecutors who are preparing to go to trial in a case charging Mr. Trump and others with conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.
If Willis is disqualified, the Georgia Prosecution Council will appoint a new attorney to replace him, who could continue with charges against Trump and 14 others or drop the case altogether. I will find out.
The relationship between Willis and Wade was first disclosed by Merchant, the attorney for Trump co-defendant Michael Roman, a former campaign aide and former White House aide. Merchant said Willis personally profited from the lawsuit, paying Wade more than $650,000 for his work and later profiting from the proceeds, which Wade used to pay for vacations they took together. claims.
Mr. Wade, who took the stand after a judge refused to rescind a subpoena to testify, said Mr. Willis had traveled with Mr. Willis to Belize, Aruba and California and had gone on a cruise together, but Mr. Willis testified that he repaid a portion of the travel fee in cash. I was charging his credit card.
“She was so emphatic and adamant about this independent, strong woman that she demanded that she pay for it herself,” Wade said.
Wade was pressured by his defense attorney to answer uncomfortable questions about his relationship with Willis, drawing opposition from the district attorney's office. The hearing began with a lengthy sparring between lawyers over who should answer questions.
Willis' firing would be a surprising development. Even if new lawyers move forward with the case, it is highly likely that it will go to trial by November, when Trump is expected to become the Republican presidential nominee. In a separate hearing in New York on Thursday, a judge ruled that Trump's hush money criminal case can proceed as scheduled. Jury selection begins on March 25th.
In a court filing earlier this month, Willis' office argued that she has no financial or personal conflict of interest and there is no basis for dismissing the case or removing her from the prosecution. In her filing, she said the allegations were “despicable” and intended to generate headlines.
Judge Scott McAfee said during Monday's hearing that Willis could be disqualified “if evidence of an actual collision or appearance of a collision is presented.”
He said the issues he wanted to explore at the hearing were “whether a relationship existed, whether that relationship was romantic or non-romantic in nature, when it was formed, and whether it continues.” These questions only make sense, he said, “in combination with the question of the existence and extent of personal interests conveyed as a result of the relationship.”
____ Richer reported from Boston. Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez Ricon in Miami contributed to this report.
