ATLANTA — A Georgia judge ruled Friday that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should not be disqualified from prosecuting the racketeering case against former President Donald Trump and several co-defendants — with one major condition.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee found the "appearance of impropriety" brought about by Willis' romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade should result in either Willis and her office leaving the case — or just Wade, whom she'd appointed to head the case.
The choice is likely to be an easy one: If Willis were to remove herself, the case would come to a halt, but having Wade leave will ensure the case continues without further delay.
“We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place,” he added.
The judge found there was no "actual conflict" brought about by the relationship, a finding that would have required Willis to be disqualified.
McAfee also suggested he was skeptical about Willis and Wade's testimony that they did not start dating until after he was appointed to the case.
Willis and Wade later acknowledged they’d been in a relationship, but maintained it began after he was appointed special prosecutor in November 2021. »
