The Georgia Court of Appeals has agreed to review a decision made by a Fulton County Superior Court judge regarding District Attorney Fani Willis and her office’s involvement in the 2020 election case against former President Donald Trump. The judge allowed Willis to continue leading the prosecution but required Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor romantically involved with Willis, to withdraw from the case. Trump’s lawyer, Steve Sadow, stated that the court has granted Trump’s appeal, though it is unclear when arguments will be held.
Former President Trump and more than a dozen of his allies were charged in a racketeering case brought by Willis last year, accusing them of engaging in an unlawful scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. Trump and the 18 co-defendants pleaded not guilty, with four later accepting plea deals. The case was disrupted after a co-defendant accused Willis and Wade of an improper romantic relationship that began before Wade was hired to work on the election case. Trump and others sought to have Willis and her office removed from the case and the charges dismissed.
Willis and Wade acknowledged their romantic relationship but disputed claims that it began before Wade’s hiring. Both parties testified during an evidentiary hearing in February to defend themselves against allegations. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee issued a ruling in March rejecting the effort to remove Willis and her office from the case as long as Wade stepped aside, allowing the prosecution to move forward. McAfee criticized Willis for what he deemed a “tremendous lapse in judgment” while also stating that there was an “odor of mendacity” surrounding the situation. Following the ruling, Trump and eight others sought review of the decision from the Georgia Court of Appeals.
The Georgia Court of Appeals granted Trump’s request for review, and the appeals court had 45 days to decide whether to take up the matter. Trump’s legal team looks forward to presenting arguments to the Georgia Court of Appeals as to why the case should be dismissed and Willis should be disqualified for her alleged misconduct in what they consider an unwarranted political persecution. Willias’ office declined to comment on the matter, leaving the case to proceed through the higher court system for further review and potential resolution. The situation has caused disruptions in the legal proceedings surrounding the 2020 election case against Trump and his allies.
