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☆ Trump and co-defendants re-up their efforts to disqualify DA Fani Willis
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Jason Morris | Zachary Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

If he approves the request, the Georgia Court of Appeals would decide whether to take up the matter. McAfee concluded that if Willis stayed, Wade had to step down in order to dispel the “cloud of impropriety” created by their romantic relationship. Wade, who has testified that his romantic relationship with Willis is over, resigned after the ruling was issued on Friday. Willis and Wade’s relationship was thrust into the spotlight in January when co-defendant Mike Roman filed a motion to disqualify Willis over allegations of an “improper” relationship with Wade, whom she hired in 2021. Trump and his co-defendants wanted the judge to disqualify Willis’ team from the case – or throw out the charges – because of a possible conflict of interest.

Persons: Donald Trump, Fani Willis, Scott McAfee’s, Willis, Steve Sadow, Trump’s, Sadow, “, ” McAfee, Trump, Nathan Wade, McAfee, Wade, ”, Mike Roman, Willis ’, –, Jack Forrest Organizations: CNN, State of, Trump Locations: Georgia, Fulton County, State of Georgia

☆ Trump DA Fani Willis' credibility has been shot over messy testimony — but perjury charges are very unlikely: legal experts
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

DA Fani Willis' credibility has been damaged following a misconduct hearing, legal experts said. Willis' 'credibility is shot'Legal experts have long said that the hearing, and the relationship between Willis and Wade, doesn't look good for Willis. Rahmani said the distraction of it all is enough that Willis should recuse herself from the Trump case. On trips they took together, Willis and Wade testified that Willis paid Wade back for her portion in cash. Ms. Yeager heard District Attorney Willis tell Mr. Bradley: 'They are coming after us.

Persons: Fani Willis, Willis, Donald Trump, —, Trump, Wade, it's, Rahmani, Ashleigh Merchant, Trump codefendant Mike Roman, Nathan Wade, Wade —, Daysha Young, Andrew Evans, Alex Slitz, doesn't, Sarah Krissoff, Cozen O'Connor, Krissoff, Scott McAfee, McAfee, Terrence Bradley, Merchant, Bradley, Manny Arora, Cindi Lee Yeager, Cobb County , Georgia —, Trump codefendant David Shafer, Yeager, John Bazemore, Elijah Nouvelage, Mr, Trump codefendant Cathleen Latham, Arora —, Kenneth Chesebro, Arora, Adam Abbate, Abbate Organizations: Service, Fulton, West, Trial, Trump codefendant, Trump, codefendants, Merchant, Wade, Business, USA, Network, Reuters, District Attorney, AP, Washington Post Locations: Georgia, Fulton County, California, Atlanta, Manhattan, Fulton, Cobb County , Georgia

☆ Fani Willis' dad testifies his daughter was dating a DJ nicknamed 'Deuce' in 2019
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Willis' dad, retired lawyer John Floyd III, said in his testimony that Willis was dating a DJ nicknamed "Deuce" in 2019 — which is the same year that an ex-pal of Willis' testified a day earlier that she started dating Nathan Wade, the attorney Willis appointed in 2021 as special prosecutor in the high-profile criminal case. Willis and Wade both testified that they stopped dating in the summer of 2023. Fulton County DA Fani Willis testifies at a hearing Feb. 15 in Atlanta on her relationship with Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade. PoolFloyd testified Willis was forced to move out of her house over threatsWhile on the stand Friday, Floyd said that he moved into Willis' home in 2019 and "often" saw her DJ boyfriend nicknamed "Deuce" coming and going. Fulton County Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade testifies during a hearing at the Fulton County Courthouse on February 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Persons: —, Georgia's, Fani Willis, Donald Trump, Willis, John Floyd III, Nathan Wade, Wade, Floyd, Wade's, Mike Roman, Trump, Nathan Wade . Pool Floyd, Deuce, Robin Yeartie, I've, we've, haven't, Alyssa Pointer, I'm, Chris Kachouroff, Harrison Floyd Organizations: Service, Fulton County Superior Court, Trump, Fulton, Trump's Locations: Georgia's Fulton County, Fulton County, Atlanta, Fulton, Atlanta , Georgia

☆ Fani Willis' longtime friend says the DA began dating Nathan Wade years before she hired him — contradicting his affidavit to the court
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | Haven Orecchio-Egresitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The salacious details of the alleged affair between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Wade have temporarily upstaged the charges against Trump and his co-defendants. Nathan Wade, the Georgia prosecutor who admitted to a relationship with his colleague, Fulton County DA Fani Willis, in court recently. "In 2022, District Attorney Willis and I developed a personal relationship in addition to our professional association and friendship," said Wade, according to the court documents. Wade testified that for any trips he and Willis have taken, Willis paid her share. "She's a very independent, proud woman, so she's going to insist that she carries her own weight," Wade told the court of Willis.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Nathan Wade, Fani Willis, Wade, Trump, Willis, Robin Yeartie, Yeartie, Ashleigh Merchant, Michael Roman, they've, Robert Cheeley, Attorney Willis, Merchant . Wade, it's Organizations: Service, DA, Business, Fulton County Superior Court, Trump, Merchant, Fulton, Attorney Locations: Fulton County , Georgia, Fulton County, Trump, Trump's Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, Merchant .

☆ Opinion: Fani Willis and Nathan Wade need to step aside for the sake of the country
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Opinion William Cooper | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“The optics are horrific,” Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney said about the fundraiser before disqualifying Willis and her staff from pursuing charges against Jones in July 2022. More recently, Willis admitted to having a “personal relationship” with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor she hired to help with Trump’s prosecution. Wade hasn’t just billed Fulton County over $650,000 under Willis’ supervision; he’s done so in irregular fashion. Combined with his personal relationship with Willis, they raise significant questions, including whether any of his outsized earnings have benefited Willis. If Willis and Wade step aside, other competent lawyers can make the case that Trump violated the law.

Persons: William Cooper, Substack, Donald Trump, Fani Willis, Sen, Burt Jones, Willis, Robert McBurney, disqualifying Willis, Jones, Nathan Wade, Michael Roman’s, Wade, Attorney Willis, Trump’s, Brad Raffensperger, “, ” Trump, Raffensperger, team’s misjudgments, Wade’s, Wade hasn’t, Willis ’, ”, Scott McAfee, Trump, it’s Organizations: CNN, District, Republican, Trump, Attorney, Fulton County prosecutorial Locations: California, Fulton County , Georgia, Republican Georgia, Fulton County, United States, Georgia, Fulton

☆ Fani Willis' workplace romance — and just how inappropriate it is — takes center stage in Trump's Georgia criminal case
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Haven Orecchio-Egresitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

These accusations have taken center stage in Trump's criminal prosecution, with Roman's team issuing subpoenas to Wade, Willis, and half a dozen witnesses who have worked with them. The center of Thursday's hearing will be whether either prosecutor has a conflict of interest in the case. Roman's attorneys must prove that Willis acquired a personal interest or stake in the defendant's conviction — and that it is "actual conflict" and not simply speculative. Her lawyers have written that no financial or personal conflict of interest justifies disqualification — and pointed to two ongoing relationships between defense attorneys in the case. Attorneys for Willis and Wade asked McAfee to keep them both off the witness stand on Thursday.

Persons: —, Nathan Wade —, Fani Willis, Donald Trump, Wade, Willis, Mike Roman, Trump, codefendant, Scott McAfee, John C, Floyd III, Nathan Wade, John Bazemore, Elijah Nouvelage, McAfee, Terrence Bradley, Ashleigh Merchant, Bradley, Natalie Musumeci Organizations: Service, Fulton, DA, Business, luxe, AP, Washington Post, Attorney Locations: Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, Aruba, Belize

☆ Trump's top prosecutor in Georgia admits to relationship with DA Fani Willis, but says they always went halfsies on travel
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

DA Fani Willis has admitted to having a personal relationship with the top prosecutor in Donald Trump's Georgia case. Willis hit back at demands to disqualify her over allegations that she had an "improper" relationship with Nathan Wade. "To be absolutely clear, the personal relationship between Special Prosecutor Wade and District Attorney Willis has never involved direct or indirect financial benefit to District Attorney Willis," the filing read. Nathan Wade, the Georgia lawyer who admitted he had a relationship with Fulton County DA Fani Willis, addresses the judge in a recent hearing. "At times I have made and purchased travel for District Attorney Willis and myself from my personal funds."

Persons: Fani Willis, Donald Trump's, Willis, Nathan Wade, —, Donald Trump, Michael Roman, Ashleigh Merchant, Wade, Trump, Wade —, Joycelyn Wade, Attorney Willis, Fulton, Roman, Robert Cheeley, Elijah Nouvelage Wade, Scott McAfee, Merchant, Joycelyn, Nathan, Fani Willis colluded, Rich Organizations: Fulton, Service, Trump, Fulton County DA, Attorney, Merchant, REUTERS, San, Atlanta Journal, West, Trial Locations: Donald, Donald Trump's Georgia, Fulton County , Georgia, Trump, Trump's Georgia, Georgia, Napa Valley , Florida, Caribbean, Fulton County, Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, Miami, San Francisco, Atlanta

☆ Trump Georgia prosecutor admits romantic relationship with Atlanta D.A. boss
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

said, but had "no personal relationship" in November 2021, when Wade became special prosecutor in the case. "There was no personal relationship between District Attorney Willis and me prior to or at the time of my appointment as special prosecutor in 2021," Wade wrote. "No funds paid to me in compensation for my role as Special Prosecutor have been shared with or provided to District Attorney Willis." "At times I have made and purchased travel for District Attorney Willis and myself from my personal funds. At other times District Attorney Willis has made and purchased travel for she and I from her personal funds."

Persons: Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Donald Trump, Willis, Trump's, Wade, Trump, Joe Biden, Michael Roman, Fulton, Ashleigh Merchant, Attorney Willis, Merchant Organizations: Atlanta District, Fulton County Superior Court, Attorney Locations: Fulton County, Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, Atlanta, Georgia

“At times,” Wade said, "I have made and purchased travel for District Attorney Willis and myself from my personal funds. The motion alleged that Willis and Wade were in an inappropriate romantic relationship that created a conflict of interest. The filing seeks to dismiss the case and to have Willis and Wade and their offices barred from further prosecuting the case. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, who’s presiding over the election case, has set a Feb. 15 hearing on Roman’s motion. Roman’s motion did not include any concrete proof for the allegations of a romantic relationship between Willis and Wade.

Persons: Fani Willis, Donald Trump, Willis, Nathan Wade, Wade, Trump, Brad Raffensperger, Democrat Joe Biden, ” Wade, Attorney Willis, ”, Willis ’, Ashleigh Merchant, Michael Roman, Robert Cheeley, Scott McAfee, who’s, Merchant, McAfee, ” Willis ’ team’s, Willis —, “, Jim Jordan, ” Willis, Jordan, Eric Tucker, Alanna Durkin Richer Organizations: ATLANTA, Republican, Trump, Democrat, Attorney, Court, . Rep, Committee, Department of Justice, Associated Press Locations: Fulton County, Georgia, Merchant, Cobb County, San Francisco, Miami, Fulton, Washington, Boston

Washington and Atlanta CNN —Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Nathan Wade, her lead prosecutor on the 2020 election case, both acknowledge in court papers that they have a “personal” relationship but strongly pushed back on claims that she financially benefitted from hiring him. “The District Attorney received no funds or personal financial gain from my position as Special Prosecutor,” he said. Willis said in the court filing that the “salacious” allegations do not reach the legal grounds required for her to be disqualified from the Georgia election interference case. Willis, Wade and some of their colleagues could be forced to testify at the hearing after receiving subpoenas this week. Willis appointed Wade special prosecutor in 2021.

Persons: Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Willis, Donald Trump, Wade, Willis “, ” Wade, ” Willis, “, ”, …, Trump’s, Wade’s, Attorney Willis, Nathan, there’s, Mike Roman, Trump, San, CNN’s Devan Cole Organizations: Atlanta CNN —, District Attorney, Attorney, ”, “, CNN, Miami, Trump Locations: Washington, Atlanta, Atlanta CNN — Fulton County, Georgia, San Francisco

☆ Trump joins effort to get Fulton County DA dismissed from 2020 election case over affair allegations
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Holmes Lybrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Donald Trump’s attorneys are joining calls for the dismissal of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in the 2020 election subversion case against the former president and his co-defendants in Georgia, pointing to alleged misconduct between Willis and her lead prosecutor. The filing also points to public comments Willis recently made defending her choice to select the lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade, arguing that she violated Georgia rules for prosecutors. In comments Willis made at Atlanta’s Big Bethel A.M.E. Church earlier this month, the DA defended her team of prosecutors in the case, calling into question why only one of the three prosecutors was being attacked. The district attorney’s office declined to comment on the latest filing. Trump’s attorneys claim that Willis made a “calculated effort to foment racial bias” against the defendants with her comments, which run the risk of prejudicing the public and prospective jurors.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Fani Willis, Willis, Trump’s, Nathan Wade, Trump, ”, Steve Sadow, ” Willis, “, ” Trump, ” Sadow Organizations: CNN, Fulton County Superior Court, Big Locations: Fulton County, Georgia, A.M.E

☆ Georgia prosecutor on Trump case paid for trips with District Attorney Willis on his credit card, court filing shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jason Morris | Zachary Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The special prosecutor hired by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to pursue the criminal case against former President Donald Trump bought tickets for Willis to accompany him on at least two out-of-state trips, records released Friday show. The motion comes as a Fulton County commissioner has launched an inquiry into allegations that Willis misused county funds and “accepted valuable gifts and personal benefits” from Nathan Wade, according to a letter obtained by CNN. Willis has received a subpoena to appear at a deposition as part of the divorce proceedings on Tuesday. And on January 31, there is a hearing at Cobb County Superior Court regarding whether to unseal the records in the divorce case. The Fulton County judge overseeing the Georgia election subversion case has also set a February 15 hearing to consider another motion seeking to disqualify Willis over allegations of an “improper” relationship with Nathan Wade.

Persons: Fani Willis, Donald Trump, Willis, Joycelyn Wade, Nathan Wade, “, Willis jeopardizing, ” Willis, Trump, ”, Joycelyn’s, Bob Ellis, Wade, ” Ellis, Ellis, Mike Roman Organizations: CNN, Fulton, Court, Republican, Trump Locations: Fulton County, Cobb County, Miami, San Francisco, Georgia, Cobb, Fulton

☆ Man charged with making threats against Georgia officials connected to case against Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Jason Morris | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An Alabama man has been charged with making threatening voicemails to Fulton County officials in Georgia because of their connections to the case against former President Donald Trump. Hanson, from Huntsville, Alabama, called the Fulton County government customer service line twice in August and left voicemails in which he threatened violence against the officials, according to US Attorney Ryan Buchanan. The Fulton County district attorney’s office declined to comment. Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat, center, speaks to the media June 1, 2021, in Atlanta. Ben Gray/AP“Threats of harm were directed towards me and District Attorney Willis for simply doing our job,” Labat said in a statement.

Persons: voicemails, Donald Trump, Arthur Ray Hanson II, Fani Willis, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat, Hanson, Ryan Buchanan, Willis, Trump, you’re, ” Hanson, Labat, Ben Gray, ” Labat, “, ” Willis, Georgia’s Organizations: CNN, Fulton, Fulton County Sheriff, Justice Department, “, FBI, Trump Locations: An Alabama, Fulton County, Georgia, Atlanta, Huntsville , Alabama

Harrison Floyd is shown in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., August 24. Harrison Floyd said at his first court appearance that he could not afford a private lawyer and had been denied representation by a public defender because he did not qualify. Floyd, who appeared virtually, said that it typically cost between $40,000 to $100,000 just to retain a private lawyer to fly to Georgia. Richardson told Floyd that he could either hire a lawyer or represent himself. In a separate case, Floyd was arrested in Maryland in May and charged with assaulting FBI agents who tried to serve him with a subpoena, court records show.

Persons: Harrison Floyd, mugshot, Donald Trump's, Floyd, Emily Richardson, Richardson, bedbugs, Scott McAfee, Trump, Fani Willis, Joe Biden's, Rudolph Giuliani, Misty Hampton, Sidney Powell, Attorney Willis, McAfee, Kenneth Chesebro, Powell, Willis, Jeffrey Clark, Biden, Jack Queen, Andy Sullivan, Luc Cohen, Noeleen, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Fulton County Sheriff's, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, U.S . Department of Justice, Trump, Democratic, U.S . Marine, New, Attorney, Justice, Republican Party, Republican, Christian, Thomson Locations: Fulton, Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, Fulton County, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Atlanta

☆ Mark Meadows and Jeffrey Clark can’t avoid arrest in Georgia election subversion case, judge rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Tierney Sneed | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A federal judge on Wednesday rejected efforts by former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and ex-Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark to avoid arrest if they fail to turn themselves in by Friday’s deadline in the Georgia election subversion case. US District Judge Steve Jones declined the emergency requests by Meadows and Clark, who are both trying to move Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ prosecution to federal court. Meadows argued he should be allowed to avoid processing in the Fulton County election subversion case that has been brought against former President Donald Trump and 18 others ahead of a hearing scheduled Monday. Such rulings would require state court proceedings for entire case – for all the defendants – to automatically be paused and moved to federal court, Clark argued in court filings earlier this week. She submitted to the federal court a state court ruling during those proceedings that described the special grand jury as criminal in nature.

Persons: Mark Meadows, Jeffrey Clark, Steve Jones, Fani Willis, Meadows, Donald Trump, ” Jones, Jones, Willis, ” Willis ’, Clark, Defendant Clark, ” Willis, ’ Willis, “, –, Trump, Brad Raffensperger, ” Organizations: CNN, Trump White House, Justice, Fulton County Authorities, Staff, Trump, Georgia, White House Locations: Georgia, Meadows, Clark, Fulton County, Fulton, United States, Atlanta, Trump, ’, enjoin

☆ Opinion: A powerful weapon for prosecutors is now in the hands of Fani Willis
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. In the US, prosecutors are given enormous power to apply the law as they see fit, choosing who to charge and what to charge them with. Evidence of their misdeeds can secure convictions and allow for strict sentences that otherwise couldn’t be imposed. Bill Bramhall/Tribune Content AgencyThe 97-page indictment unveiled by Willis last week cites a lot more evidence than could be arrayed against a sandwich served at lunch. “We are the chief law enforcement officers in each jurisdiction, with the weighty power to deprive others of their freedom,” Aronberg observed.

Persons: CNN — Caesar Enrico “ Rico ” Bandello, Caesar, ”, Edward G, Robinson, Rico, Rudolph Giuliani, Fani Willis, Willis, Giuliani, Donald Trump, Sol Wachtler, Bill Bramhall, Jennifer Rodgers, “, Trump, Ruby Freeman, Shaye Moss, Dave Aronberg, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Aronberg, Jack, Smith, ” Aronberg, Trump Walt Handelsman, James Antle III, ” Antle, ” Trump, Biden, Dean Obeidallah, Clay Jones, Tucker Carlson, Ron DeSantis, Lanhee Chen, Joe Biden, DeSantis, David Axelrod, Axelrod, Vivek Ramaswamy, Rich Lowry, “ Ramaswamy, … ”, Lowry, ” Carrie Sheffield, ” Lisa Benson, GoComics.com, ‘, Julian Zelizer, Jeff Zelevansky, Sandra Bullock, Leigh Anne Tuohy, Jill Filipovic, “ it’s, Michael Oher, Sean, Leigh Anne Tuohy —, … Oher, …, Facebook Filipovic, “ Oher, ” Bradley Cooper’s, ’ “, Leonard Bernstein —, Bradley Cooper, ’ —, David M, Perry, Bernstein, Felicia Montealegre, Carey Mulligan, Cooper, ‘ Maestro, ’, Joel Pett, Agency “, Celia Wexler, Joan Meyer, ” Wexler, Don’t, Ric Ward, Sigrid Fry, Alden Wicker, Jay Michaelson, Al Gore, Lauren Hersh, Rebecca Zipkin, David Andelman, Africa —, Michael Coren, Elsie Robinson, UC Berkeley Elsie Robinson, “ Robinson, Allison Gilbert, ” Gilbert, — Organizations: CNN, ”, New, Appeals, New York Daily News, Department, Electoral, Palm, Manhattan, Attorney, “, White House, of Justice, Trump, Agency, GOP, Republicans, Florida Gov, Republican, Fair, Politico, Hawaii, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, NFL, Oher, Twitter, Netflix, Rican, ” Press, Marion County, Russia, Hearst, San Francisco Examiner, Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley, Google, Smithsonian Locations: Rico, Fulton County, Atlanta, county’s, Georgia, Coffee County, Palm Beach County , Florida, “, Milwaukee, Iowa, GoComics.com Maui, Maui, Delaware, Hawaii, Tennessee, Costa, Rican American, Marion, The Kansas, Revere, Africa

☆ Opinion: What Fani Willis’ case shows us about the power of local prosecutors
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Opinion Dave Aronberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Whether they are called district attorneys, state’s attorneys or something else, the job of local prosecutors has traditionally flown under the national political radar. In fact, unlike the attorney general, a local district attorney cannot be fired by the president. The lesson for Meadows is that the local district attorney isn’t automatically bound by any deal with the feds. Willis and Bragg are not the only state prosecutors making headlines this year. Trump’s legal team is so fearful of state court that they have been fighting to “remove” his New York criminal case to federal court.

Persons: Dave Aronberg, Donald Trump, Fani Willis, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr, O.J, Simpson, Kenneth Starr, Robert Mueller, General Merrick Garland, Ron DeSantis, Trump, Jack Smith, pitbull, Willis ’, Smith, Attorney Willis, Smith smartly, Mark Meadows, Willis, Meadows, Bragg, Alex Murdaugh, Lori Vallow, Bryan Kohberger, Aileen Cannon Organizations: State, Palm, CNN, Manhattan, Attorney, Trump, Florida Gov, Department of, Fulton, of Justice, White House, Twitter, Facebook, University of Idaho Locations: Palm Beach County , Florida, Fulton County, Florida, New York, Manhattan, Russia, Georgia, isn’t, York, Washington , DC

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