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☆ Analysis: How Trump’s legal battles impact his 2024 presidential campaign
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Critical days are ahead in Donald Trump’s multiple legal battles. — On Thursday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments over a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court to throw Trump off the ballot under the 14th Amendment’s ban on insurrectionists. Maine has taken a similar step to Colorado but that case hasn’t yet reached the US Supreme Court. Nikki Haley, is now arguing that Trump’s legal entanglements make him a disastrous pick for her party by seizing on the news that he spent more than $50 million from political action committees on legal fees. So, definitely a good day for President Trump, but not necessarily out of the woods,” Goodman said.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, Trump’s, ’, Jack, — Trump, Judge Arthur Engoron, Jean Carroll, Stormy Daniels, Attorney Alvin Bragg, he’s, —, Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Willis, Wade, Smith, Nikki Haley, Haley, CNN’s Dana, “, ” Haley, that’s, disqualifying Trump, Tanya Chutkan’s, Chutkan, Ryan Goodman, CNN’s Erin Burnett, ” Goodman, Carroll, “ you’re, we’ve, Joe Biden, ” Organizations: CNN, Republican, Colorado Supreme, Trump, Trump Organization, Manhattan, Attorney, Department of Justice, GOP, South Carolina Gov, Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, Supreme, Department of Defense, DC Circuit Locations: America, Maine, Colorado, Washington ,, New York, Georgia, Fulton County, Lago, “ State, Manchester , New Hampshire, Wilmington , Delaware

WASHINGTON (AP) — Each time Donald Trump refers to a Georgia prosecutor 's colleague as her “lover,” he's invoking a strikingly familiar turn of phrase. He's jumped on allegations of affairs and leveled claims of bias against agents, prosecutors and judges. “This case is a Hoax, just like Russia, Russia, Russia (and all of the rest! The Comey memo revealed that Trump had asked him to end an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. But to Trump and his supporters, the disclosure became an opening to attack Comey as a “leaker."

Persons: Donald Trump, ”, Trump, He's, Reid Schar, Rod Blagojevich, ” Trump, Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Willis, Georgia's, “, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, Strzok, ” “ Trump, Greg Brower, Christopher Steele, James Comey, he'd, Comey, Michael Flynn, Robert Mueller's, Trump's, Mueller, — Mueller, Virginia —, Christopher Mattei, John Rowland, Sandy, Alex Jones, Trump “, he’s Organizations: WASHINGTON, Trump, “ Prosecutors, of Justice, Illinois, DOJ, American, The Justice, Associated Press, FBI, Justice, Former, Connecticut Gov, Elementary Locations: Georgia, Russia, Fulton County, America, Virginia, Connecticut

☆ Where Trump’s notable cases stand
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Here’s a quick rundown of where Trump’s cases stand right now. Federal election subversion caseSpecial counsel Jack Smith has charged Trump with four counts in Washington, DC, over his alleged efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 election. Mar-a-Lago classified documents caseSmith has also charged Trump with 42 counts in Florida for his mishandling of classified documents after he left the White House. US District Judge Aileen Cannon has set Trump’s trial for May, though she has said she may revisit the trial date during a March hearing. Judge Juan Merchan has set a trial date of March 25, making that trial likely the first one Trump will face among the four cases.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Here’s, Jack Smith, Tanya Chutkan, Smith, Aileen Cannon, Cannon, Fani Willis, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Stormy Daniels, Judge Juan Merchan, Judge Arthur Engoron, Engoron Organizations: CNN, Trump, Court, White House, Prosecutors, Fulton, Manhattan, Attorney, Trump Organization, New Locations: Washington , DC, Florida, Georgia, Fulton County , Georgia, Fulton County, York, New York

☆ Tex McIver — an Atlanta attorney sentenced to life — may walk out of prison after admitting he killed his wife
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Christina Maxouris | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Behind Diane sat her husband, Claud Lee “Tex” McIver, an attorney with powerful political connections, with a gun in his lap. Claud "Tex" McIver enters the courtroom holding a bible filled with papers before his sentencing at the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta in May 2018. A family photo of Tex McIver and his wife, Diane. “There is no doubt that Tex McIver depended on his wife’s money,” defense attorney Bruce Harvey said in trial. Tex McIver pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of his wife, Diane, on Friday, January 26, 2024.

Persons: Dani Jo Carter, Carter, Diane McIver, Diane, Claud Lee “ Tex ” McIver, “ Tex, ” Diane muttered, Claud, Tex, McIver, Alyssa Pointer, Fani Willis, retry McIver, Robert McBurney, McIver’s, –, he’s, Don Samuel, Diane chatted, Tex McIver, ” McIver, Seleta Griffin, Tex McIver’s, Griffin, Diane McIver's, Hyosub Shin, Zuma, ”, Clint Rucker, “, ” Prosecutors, ” Griffin, Bruce Harvey, Prosecutors, court’s, codicil, Adam Abbate, Samuel, Amanda Clark Palmer, CNN’s Jamiel Lynch Organizations: CNN, Ford Expedition, Georgia Supreme, WSB, Atlanta, TNS, ”, Prosecutors Locations: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, Fulton County, ” Fulton County, Putnam County, Buckhead, “, –

“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'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

☆ Fani Willis, the DA who charged Trump in Georgia, subpoenaed by House GOP
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Katherine Doyle | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON — House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has subpoenaed District Attorney Fani Willis of Fulton County, Georgia, demanding documents from her office following allegations that Willis fired a whistleblower who tried to stop a top campaign aide from misusing federal funds. In a letter Friday, Jordan says Willis has failed to comply with two earlier requests for documents related to her office's use of federal grant money. Willis' office has condemned Jordan's requests, writing last year in a letter to him that there is "no justification in the Constitution for Congress to interfere with a state criminal matter." "Instead of using these federal grant funds for the intended purpose of helping at-risk youths, your office sought to use the grant funds to 'get Macbooks ... swag ... [and] use it for travel,'" Jordan wrote. Willis' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the circumstances of the employee's departure.

Persons: Jim Jordan, Fani Willis, Willis, Jordan, Donald Trump, Georgia's, Trump Organizations: WASHINGTON, NBC News, House Republicans, Congress, Department, Washington Free Beacon Locations: Fulton County , Georgia, Ohio, Fulton County, Georgia

☆ 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

☆ Embattled Georgia prosecutor Willis will not recuse from Trump election case amid affair allegations, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Zachary Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Despite calls by some legal experts to recuse herself from the case to protect its integrity, she is not expected to do so, the sources told CNN. Still, a source familiar with the thinking inside the DA’s office told CNN they would be “mystified” if it succeeds in removing her. “I think a lot of what I’ve read is more of a distraction and not legally substantive,” James told CNN in a sit-down interview. I think it’s very unlikely that we’ll see any criminal action come out of that,” Kreis told CNN. If Willis ultimately survives the current push to disqualify her, the case would effectively be back on track, sources told CNN.

Persons: Willis, Fani Willis, Donald Trump, Nathan Wade, Trump, Mike Roman, Scott McAfee, Wade, Erik S, Norm Eisen, Obama, Wade —, Willis —, “, ” Eisen, Eisen, Willis ‘, Robert James, ” James, Donald J, Elijah Nouvelage, James, I’m, ’ ” James, Anthony Michael Kreis, –, Brian Kemp, ” Kreis, “ It’s, It’s, McAfee, Jack Smith, CNN’s Nick Valencia, Jason Morris Organizations: CNN —, CNN, Trump, White, Georgia State University, Kreis, GOP, Georgia Republicans, Republican, Georgia’s Republican Gov Locations: Georgia, CNN — Fulton County, Cobb County, Fulton County, Atlanta , Georgia, Miami, San Francisco, DeKalb County

And Rowden penalized prominent Freedom Caucus members by stripping them of their committee chairmanships and prime Capitol parking spots. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesAn outgrowth of the group, the State Freedom Caucus Network, launched in 2021 in Georgia. Like in Missouri, Idaho's top Republican senator removed certain Freedom Caucus members from committee leadership posts last November and denounced their disparaging rhetoric against other senators. For a year now in South Carolina, Freedom Caucus members have been excluded from the House Republican caucus — since they refused to go along with party rules that bar them from campaigning against other Republican members. Meanwhile in Georgia, the Senate Republican caucus booted an outspoken Freedom Caucus member who tried to pressure colleagues into impeaching a Democratic prosecutor for indicting Trump.

Persons: Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, —, Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy —, it's, “ We’re, ”, Sen, Bill Eigel, Rowden, indicting Trump, Colton Moore, Moore, Fani Willis, Trump, Andrew Roth, they’re, Roth, Katie Hobbs, Adam Morgan, ” Morgan, Micah Caskey, Caskey, ” Caskey, James Pollard, Pollard Organizations: JEFFERSON CITY, Pro, Washington , D.C, Caucus, Republican, U.S, U.S . House, State Freedom Caucus Network, Freedom Caucus, National Guard, GOP, Democratic, The, State Freedom Caucus, Democratic Arizona Gov, Department of Health Services, Republicans, South Carolina Freedom Caucus, Republican governor’s, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Mo, Washington ,, U.S, Georgia, Missouri, Texas, Mexico, South Carolina, The Georgia, Fulton County, Wyoming, Montana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Illinois, South Dakota, Republican governor’s State, Columbia , South Carolina

They are among nearly a dozen witnesses who were subpoenaed, including other Fulton County prosecutors, Willis’s assistant and bodyguard, and Wade’s current and former law partners. CNN first reported last week that Willis, Wade and others were expected to receive subpoenas to testify at the February 15 hearing. The other prosecutors who were subpoenaed are Deputy District Attorney Sonya Allen and Executive District Attorney Daysha Young. Both are members of Willis’ executive team, according to the Fulton County website. Mike Roman, one of Trump’s co-defendants, is suing the Fulton County district attorney’s office, accusing prosecutors of withholding information that the lawsuit claims could prove allegations of an improper romantic relationship.

Persons: Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Donald Trump, Wade, Willis, Sonya Allen, Daysha Young, Michael Hill, Tia Green, Mike Roman, Trump’s, Roman, they’ve, Willis’s, –, Scott McAfee, McAfee, Mr, ”, Roman’s, Trump Organizations: CNN, Executive, Fulton, ”, Records Locations: Fulton County, Georgia, Fulton

☆ 5 distinct legal questions looming over Donald Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Zachary Wolf | Analysis Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —While former President Donald Trump’s path through Republican primaries is clearing up, he faces looming unanswered questions in multiple different courts. Engoron had already ordered the dissolution of Trump’s New York real estate empire, which is on hold pending Trump’s appeal. The US Supreme Court has, for now, declined to take up the case, because justices wanted this particular appeals court panel to weigh in. Trump will remain on the ballot for Colorado’s primary pending the Supreme Court decision. While the situation is unlikely, at least for now, to kill the case against Trump, Willis’ position at the helm is very much in question.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Arthur Engoron, Letitia James, Trump, Engoron, Jack Smith, Will Trump, Fani Willis, Willis ’, Willis, Scott McAfee, Jean Carroll, Carroll, that’s, ” Trump, “ Organizations: CNN, Trump, New York, Trump’s, US, Tuesday, Senate, New, Forbes, Bloomberg Locations: Trump’s, York, New York, Washington , DC, Colorado, Maine, Illinois, Georgia, Fulton County, Georgia’s

☆ Fulton County government outage: Cyberattack brings down phones, court site and tax systems
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Alta Spells | Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —An ongoing cyberattack against Georgia’s Fulton County, which includes parts of Atlanta, has brought some of the government’s systems to a standstill, halting access to court filings, tax processing and other services. The office of the county’s District Attorney Fani Willis lost access to its phones, internet and the court system website, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. The communication, court and tax systems have all been brought down, said Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robb Pitts in a news briefing Monday. A source with first-hand knowledge in Fulton County told CNN the internet and Odyssey court access are down as well. “We at Fulton County take cybersecurity seriously and we place a high priority on the protection of sensitive information,” Pitts said.

Persons: Fani Willis, Willis, Donald Trump, Robb Pitts, Pitts, ” Pitts, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Georgia’s, county’s Department of Information Technology, FBI, Fulton, IT, The Atlanta, Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Locations: Georgia’s Fulton County, Atlanta, county’s, Fulton County, Baltimore, New Mexico’s, Albuquerque, US

The House voted 95-75 along party lines for House Bill 881, sending it to the Senate for further debate. Monday's measure removes the requirement for Supreme Court approval. Trump on Thursday joined an effort by co-defendant Michael Roman to have Willis, Wade and their offices thrown off the case. Kemp has said he prefers that the prosecutor oversight panel and not the Senate committee probe any accusations of misconduct by Willis. But Democrats warn that removing the requirement for the Supreme Court to review rules could leave the commission itself without oversight.

Persons: Fani Willis ’, Donald Trump, Bill, Brian Kemp, Joseph Gullett, Willis, “, Donald J, Trump, ”, Sam Park, Nathan Wade, Michael Roman, Wade, Ashleigh Merchant, Roman, Martin Luther King Jr, Wade —, —, Kemp, Tanya Miller, aren’t, Houston Gaines Organizations: ATLANTA, —, The, Senate, Georgia Gov, Commission, Dallas Republican, Democratic, Lawrenceville Democrat, Atlanta Democrat, Republicans, Athens Republican Locations: — Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco, Wade, Athens

☆ Opinion: What could fall apart after Trump’s victory
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. CNN —In 2018, Irish journalist Fintan O’Toole proposed the “Yeats Test” to determine how bad things are in the world. Although … Haley is the last contender standing between former President Donald Trump and the Republican nomination…most Republican voters do not want an alternative to Trump; they overwhelmingly back him. Polling shows Trump even leads Haley in her home state of South Carolina.”Haley’s quest is going nowhere, wrote Daniel McCarthy. Join us on Twitter and FacebookTrump’s election-night needling of South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who endorsed the president over Haley, stood out.

Persons: Fintan O’Toole, Yeats, ” O’Toole, Donald Trump, —, William Butler Yeats, Mitch McConnell’s, Trump, doesn’t, Joe Biden, Clay Jones, Nikki Haley, ”, Raul Reyes, … Haley, Haley, Daniel McCarthy, Ron DeSantis, “, Paul Begala, South Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, Tim, ” Trump, Scott, E, Jean Carroll, Ana Marie Cox, Carroll —, Julian Zelizer, — Trump, ” Bill Bramhall, Biden, Douglas, Bruce A, Willis, John Avlon, Dean Obeidallah, Jon Stewart, Bill Burns, Lishay Lavi, Omri Miran, Roni, Alma, ” Lavi, ” Barbie, Oscar Bill Bramhall, New York Daily News Sara Stewart, Barbie ”, “ Tuesday’s Oscar, ‘ Barbie, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, Barbie, it’s, Brad Meltzer, Ken, ’, Hannah Ryan, Barbie ’, Sofia Coppola’s ‘ Priscilla ’, Priscilla Presley’s, Elvis —, Molly Manning Walker’s, Ava DuVernay’s, Noah Berlatsky, Dr, Strangelove ”, Peter Bergen, Elena Sheppard, Kyte, Nick Anderson, Narges Mohammadi, Jennifer Tucker, Wayne LaPierre, Erik German, Frida Ghitis, Elon Musk, Jill Filipovic, millennials, David S, Cohen, Greer Donley, Rachel Rebouché, David Mark, …, Lisa Benson, Suzanne Plunkett, Michelle Francl didn’t, Rosa Prince, You’re, you’ll Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Trump, Polling, Florida Gov, Republican Party, ”, Twitter, Facebook, New York Daily, CIA, New York Daily News, Warner Bros, Warner Bros ., Academy, Counterpoint, NRA, Harvard, Bryn Mawr College, Boston Harbour Locations: Irish, “, Ukraine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa, New York, Douglas London, Georgia, Gaza, Israel, Bergen, Boston, Pennsylvania

☆ Georgia state Senate approves special committee investigation into Fani Willis
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Shirin Faqiri | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Georgia state Senate on Friday passed a resolution creating a special committee to investigate Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis amid allegations of an improper affair with her lead prosecutor in the 2020 election subversion case against former President Donald Trump. The resolution, which cleared the GOP-controlled state Senate 30-19, allows the special committee to subpoena people and evidence while putting witnesses under oath for their testimonies. “This resolution is about an officer of the state of Georgia, within a subdivision of the state of Georgia, and how they are using state funds,” Dolezal said on the Senate floor. Willis and Wade have not directly addressed the accusations, and the Fulton County district attorney’s office has not yet commented on the allegations specifically. The judge overseeing the case against Trump has given Willis until the end of next week to reply in writing to the allegations to the court.

Persons: Fani Willis, Donald Trump, Sen, Greg Dolezal, ” Dolezal, Willis, Nathan Wade, Mike Roman, Wade, ” Willis, Joe Biden, Trump Organizations: CNN, GOP, Trump, Big Locations: Georgia, Fulton County, A.M.E

“This has to do with following state funds,” said Republican Sen Matt Brass of Newnan. But the committee can't directly sanction Willis, and Democrats denounced it as a partisan attempt to try to play to Trump and his supporters. People can already be prosecuted for making false statements to Georgia lawmakers. Those are among the criminal charges that Rudy Giuliani and some others face for the false claims they made to Georgia lawmakers in late 2020. Most of the top supporters are Republican lawmakers who also publicly backed Trump's efforts to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results, including Republican Lt. Gov.

Persons: Fani Willis, Donald Trump, ”, Republican Sen Matt Brass, Brian Kemp, Willis, “, Democratic Sen, David Lucas, Trump, Michael Roman, Nathan Wade, Ashleigh Merchant, Roman, Wade, Martin Luther King Jr, Wade —, —, Republican State Sen, Brandon Beach, Rudy Giuliani, Joe Biden, Georgia's, Burt Jones, Jones, “ I’ve, ” Jones, I’ve, ” Kemp, Josh McLaurin, ” McLaurin Organizations: ATLANTA, —, Democratic, Republican, Trump, Republican State, ”, Republicans, Democrats, Gov, New Locations: — Georgia's, Fulton County, misspent, Macon, Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco, Brandon, Alpharetta, Georgia, New Hampshire

☆ 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

☆ Opinion | Why Fani Willis Should Step Aside in the Trump Case in Georgia
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Clark D. Cunningham | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The case against Donald Trump in Georgia for allegedly participating in a criminal conspiracy to interfere with the 2020 election is more important than any individual actor managing the prosecution, and that includes the Fulton County district attorney, Fani Willis, and the case’s lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade. In recent weeks, Ms. Willis and Mr. Wade have found themselves in a spotlight that should belong to the serious charges against Mr. Trump. The two are the focus of a legal motion, and ensuing news reporting about a possible romantic relationship between them has explored whether it amounts to a conflict of interest with regard to the case. I’m a law professor in Georgia who teaches ethics and who has studied the legal consequences that might come if Ms. Willis and Mr. Wade are found to have a conflict, and I believe the judicious and farsighted course would be for Ms. Willis to take a personal leave of absence and turn over control of the district attorney’s office, and the case against Mr. Trump, to a career deputy district attorney. Doing so would be an act of public service by Ms. Willis — and more important, offers the best option for keeping the criminal case on track and holding Mr. Trump and his co-defendants accountable for their actions in the 2020 election if that is the just outcome.

Persons: Donald Trump, Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Willis, Mr, Wade, Trump, I’m, Willis — Organizations: Mr Locations: Georgia, Fulton County

ATLANTA (AP) — Accusations that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis had an inappropriate relationship with a special prosecutor she hired to seek convictions of Donald Trump and others for interfering in Georgia's 2020 election have led to renewed calls to remove Willis from the case. Merchant alleges that Willis' office paid Wade large sums and that Willis improperly benefited when Wade then paid for the two of them to go on vacations. Willis, an elected Democrat, has shown no signs of stepping down, but there are ways she could be removed. COULD WILLIS STEP AWAY FROM THE CASE IN ORDER TO SAVE IT? Many Republicans would like to see Willis investigated by Georgia's new Prosecuting Attorneys Qualification Commission.

Persons: Fani Willis, Donald Trump, Willis, Nathan Wade, Ashleigh Merchant, Michael Roman, Merchant, Wade, Wade's, Scott McAfee, McAfee, Robert McBurney, Sen, Burt Jones, Trump, “, McBurney, Jones, Danny Porter, WILLIS, it's, Porter, Norm Eisen, Barack Obama's, ”, Eisen, Mr, hasn’t, State Sen, Colton Moore, Bob Ellis, Fulton, Greg Dolezal, Cumming, ” Dolezal's Organizations: ATLANTA, Trump, White, Fulton, Georgia Republicans, Democratic, of, Atlanta —, Council, Commission, Republicans, Republican, GOP Locations: Fulton County, Miami, San Francisco, Fulton, of Georgia, Gwinnett County, Atlanta, Georgia, State, Trenton

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) — A judge on Monday ordered court records to be made public in the divorce involving a special prosecutor hired in the election case against Donald Trump and others and accused of having an affair with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The judge said records must be unsealed in the divorce case involving Nathan Wade, whom a defense attorney has alleged is in inappropriate relationship with Willis. The judge put off a final decision on whether Willis will have to sit for questioning in the divorce case, but delayed her deposition that had been scheduled for Tuesday. Willis has defended her hiring of Wade, who has little prosecutorial experience, and has not directly denied a romantic relationship. Willis has accused Wade's estranged wife of trying to obstruct her criminal election interference case against Trump and others by seeking to question her in the couple’s divorce proceedings.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Willis, Wade, Ashleigh Merchant, Michael Roman, Wade's, Joycelyn Wade, Willis “, Nathan Wade —, Joycelyn, “, ” Trump Organizations: Trump, White Locations: MARIETTA, Ga, Fulton County, San Francisco, Napa Valley , Florida, Belize, Panama, Australia, Miami, Georgia

☆ Judge temporarily blocks deposition of Trump Georgia DA Fani Willis in divorce case
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A Georgia judge on Monday blocked — for now — a deposition of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis by lawyers in the divorce of special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom Willis appointed to oversee the criminal election case of former President Donald Trump. Cobb County Superior Court Judge Henry Thompson said he needed to hear what Nathan Wade said in his deposition before determining if Willis should be deposed in the divorce by Jocelyn Wade's lawyers. Willis is seeking to block the deposition amid questions of whether she engaged in a romantic relationship with Nathan Wade at the same time he and his law firm were being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by Fulton County to act as special counsel in Trump's criminal case. Trump is charged with racketeering and other charges related to his efforts to undo his loss in Georgia's 2020 election to President Joe Biden. Thompson also Monday said he would unseal the Wades' divorce case, after noting that procedures for sealing the case from public view were not followed.

Persons: Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Willis, Donald Trump, Henry Thompson, Jocelyn Wade's, Wade, he's, Thompson, Trump, Joe Biden Organizations: Fulton Locations: Georgia, Fulton County, Cobb

☆ 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

☆ Fani Willis Affair Claims Are Nothing More Than Bad Optics: Experts
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Associated Press | Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Allegations have surfaced of an affair between Fulton County DA Fani Willis and an attorney she hired. AdvertisementFulton County District Attorney Fani Willis hired attorney Nathan Wade to lead the Georgia prosecution of Donald Trump and 18 others over efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The lawyer is seeking to get the indictment tossed and to remove Willis and Wade from the case. Outside of any effect on this case, Willis, an elected Democrat, is up for reelection this year, and this could become a campaign issue depending on how she ultimately responds. Records show Wade billed for what he described as "travel to Athens; conf with White House Counsel" in May 2022.

Persons: Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Willis, Donald Trump, —, Wade, Wade —, Trump, vies, it's, Rahmani, Anthony Michael Kreis, Ashleigh Merchant, Michael Roman, Merchant, unseal, Joycelyn Wade, Joycelyn, Jeff DiSantis, John Floyd, Anna Cross, Wade's, Thurbert Baker, Baker, It's, Neil Warren, foreperson, Georgia —, There's, Peter Strzok, Robert James, that's, I've, James Organizations: Service, Trump, West, Trial, Georgia State University, Associated Press, White, Caribbean, AP, Defense, White House, Records, DC Locations: Fulton County, Georgia, Napa Valley , Florida, Caribbean, Wade's, San Francisco, Belize, Panama, Australia, Miami, Cobb County, Athens, Russia, DeKalb County , Georgia

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