Current:Home > ScamsJudge to proceed with hearing to consider motion to disqualify Fani Willis from Trump Georgia election case -Elevate Profit Vision
Judge to proceed with hearing to consider motion to disqualify Fani Willis from Trump Georgia election case
View
Date:2025-04-13 09:34:00
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee says he'll move forward with an evidentiary hearing Thursday to consider a Trump co-defendant's motion to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her office from prosecuting the 2020 election interference case in Georgia and to drop all the charges against him.
Michael Roman, a former Republican National Committee staffer, alleged that Willis had an improper relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, paid him more than $650,000 for his work for the D.A.'s office and then benefited financially from the relationship when Wade allegedly took her on cruises and trips.
Judge Scott McAfee, who is presiding over the Trump election interference case, declined to quash subpoenas for Willis, Wade and other witnesses to testify on Thursday, but it is unclear if they will be made to testify. McAfee said he would defer that ruling until he gets "deeper into the hearing" on Thursday.
Judge McAfee said that the evidentiary hearing must occur because it's "possible that the facts alleged … could result in disqualification" and "an evidentiary hearing must occur to establish the record on those core allegations."
He listed the issues as follows: Whether a relationship existed, whether it was romantic, when it formed, whether it continues and any personal benefit conveyed as a result of the relationship.
But he also said that some of the arguments made by Roman's attorney are not relevant, like Wade's alleged lack of experience in handling racketeering cases like the Trump case.
"As long as a lawyer has a heartbeat and a bar card," that lawyer's appointment is within the D.A.'s discretion, McAfee said.
Nor has he found violations of Fulton County case law code, which would be relevant to a motion to disqualify a prosecutor for a pending criminal case.
Anna Cross, an attorney for the Fulton County D.A., sought to quash motions for witness testimony including Willis and Wade, arguing the defense was "not bringing you law," that it "is bringing you gossip," and the court shouldn't condone it. She said that the D.A.'s office in its brief last week argued there's no basis for dismissing the indictment. And she said that among all the witnesses subpoenaed, there is no one with relevant information.
In August, a grand jury in Fulton County indicted Trump and more than a dozen of his associates for election fraud, racketeering and other charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. So far, four out of the 19 charged have pleaded guilty, including three lawyers involved in the effort to thwart the election in Georgia. Trump and the rest of the defendants have pleaded not guilty.
- In:
- Donald Trump
- Fani Willis
veryGood! (58)
Related
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Gal Gadot announces the birth of her fourth daughter: Ori
- Take 68% off Origins Skincare, 40% off Skechers, 57% off a Renpho Heated Eye Massager & More Major Deals
- State AGs send letter to Meta asking it to take ‘immediate action’ on user account takeovers
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Proposed transmission line for renewable power from Canada to New England canceled
- Mom arrested after mixing a drink to give to child's bully at Texas school, officials say
- See Who Is Attending the Love Is Blind Season Six Reunion
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Investigators say they confirmed pilots’ account of a rudder-control failure on a Boeing Max jet
Ranking
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Gal Gadot announces the birth of her fourth daughter: Ori
- Paige DeSorbo Says Boyfriend Craig Conover Would Beat Jesse Solomon's Ass for Hitting on Her
- Trump ordered to pay legal fees after failed lawsuit over ‘shocking and scandalous’ Steele dossier
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Virginia budget leaders confirm Alexandria arena deal is out of the proposed spending plan
- What to know about the ‘Rust’ shooting case as attention turns to Alec Baldwin’s trial
- Crew of the giant Icon of the Seas cruise ship rescues 14 people adrift in the sea
Recommendation
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
New Jersey sees spike in incidents of bias in 2023
Stolen Oscars: The unbelievable true stories behind these infamous trophy heists
Are you moving? Don't forget your change of address. Here's how to easily swap info.
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
Sweden officially joins NATO, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality
Lace Up, These Hoka Sneaker Deals Won’t Last Long & You Can Save Up to 51%
Where to find Stanley Easter tumblers now that they've sold out