By Aaron Miller-
The Fulton county district attorney, Fani Willis, testified on Thursday for the first time to address allegations that could disqualify her from leading a case against Donald Trump and his allies over efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.
The Fulton county superior judge Scott McAfee, was determining whether Willis and her top deputy, Nathan Wade, had improper romantic relations that merit being disqualified from bringing the case.
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Trump’s co-defendant in the Georgia 2020 election interference case, Michael Roman has been striving to have Willis and her top deputy, Nathan Wade, disqualified due to their romantic relationship, alleging it constitutes a conflict of interest.
Succeeding in the outcome would have serious ramifications on the investigation surrounding Trump.
Wade insists their relationship started in March 2022, four months after he was hired, and that they shared expenses for trips roughly equally.
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“Our relationship wasn’t a secret. It was just private,” he said. When questioned by Roman’s lawyer, Ashleigh Merchant. He said there wasn’t always a record that they split the cost of vacations and other expenses because she paid him back in cash.
“She’s a very independent proud woman. She’s going to insist she pays her own way,” she said. “In a relationship ma’am, particularly men, we don’t go asking back for anything. You’re not keeping a ledger for things you pay for versus things she pay for.”
Ms Willis in a court filing last week admitted that she had an affair with Wade, but denied that it had tainted the Trump proceedings.
On Thursday morning, a former close friend of Ms Willis told the court in Atlanta, Georgia, that Ms Willis and Mr Wade’s romantic relationship began two years earlier.
Robin Yeartie, a former employee of the Fulton County district attorney’s office, said she had seen the couple “hugging, kissing”.
The district attorney’s office has rejected the claim of any conflict of interest , arguing in court filings that nothing unlawful took place, and there were no financial benefits to either party.
Interestingly, the judge said any actual conflict of interest or the appearance of one, could lead to the disqualification.
“It’s clear that disqualification can occur if evidence is produced demonstrating an actual conflict or the appearance of one,” he said.
An appearance of a conflict of interest is not the same as one, and should not be a valid basis for an adverse ruling in this case. Much will depend on the nature and extent of the appearance in question.
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