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CNN
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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Nathan Wade, the lead prosecutor in the 2020 election case, have both admitted in court documents that they have a “personal” relationship, but they still hire Fani Willis. The government strongly opposes claims that it has gained economic benefits from this.
The complaint against Willis, who is spearheading Georgia’s criminal case against former President Donald Trump and his allies over efforts to overturn the 2020 election, alleges that Willis had a “personal relationship” with Willis in 2022. The affidavit includes Mr. Wade’s statement that “we had a relationship. Our professional connections and friendships. ”
Wade denied that any proceeds from the case were “shared or provided” with Willis.
“The district attorney receives no funds or personal financial benefit from my position as special prosecutor,” he said.
Willis also said their “personal relationship … has never involved any direct or indirect financial benefit to District Attorney Willis.”
Mr. Willis filed a response to allegations by one of Mr. Trump’s co-defendants of a conflict of interest and an inappropriate romantic relationship with Mr. Wade.
Willis said in a court filing that the “salacious” allegations do not meet the legal basis needed to disqualify him from the Georgia election interference case.
“Although the allegations raised in the various motions are salacious and designed to garner media attention, they provide no basis for this court to order the relief they seek.” It is stated in the submitted documents.
Willis said her attorneys had not reached a legal basis for disbarment, saying she had no financial or personal conflict of interest that “would constitute a legal basis for disbarment” and that she had no “lawful basis for disbarment or judicial investigation.” He has not made any public statements justifying his actions.” ”
The motion also defends Mr. Wade, saying that attacks on Mr. Wade’s qualifications are “factually inaccurate, unsubstantiated, and malicious, and further suggest that special counsel should dismiss his indictment or deny his qualifications as a special counsel.” “We have not provided any basis for depriving them.”
“Defendants do not point to any actions taken by the district attorney or his staff that deviate from the character of law officers specifically tasked with overseeing the special purpose grand jury investigation or prosecution of the defendants.” . Motion is read.
“Instead, the motion attempts to combine the completely unremarkable circumstances of Special Counsel Wade’s appointment with completely unrelated allegations about his personal and family life into a fabricated conflict of interest on the part of the district attorney. That effort is bound to fail.”
Wade and Willis respond to allegations of inappropriate conduct
The judge overseeing the criminal case ordered Willis to respond, setting the stage for a Feb. 15 hearing on the matter. Mr. Willis, Mr. Wade and some of his colleagues, who received subpoenas this week, could be forced to testify at a hearing.
Regarding the allegations that the two went on vacation together, Willis said: “Financial responsibility for personal travel is split approximately evenly between the two, with each bearing primary responsibility for the other’s expenses.” He owes nothing and all expenses are being paid with his own personal funds.”
Mr. Wade stated in his affidavit: “At times, I have arranged and purchased travel expenses for District Attorney Willis and myself from personal funds. Sometimes.”
Willis added that “there are no joint or joint financial or financial accounts” and that “there is no shared household” and that neither Willis nor Wade are financially dependent on each other. .
Willis cited Wade’s affidavit, saying, “Defendants do not support their contention that the exercise of prosecutorial discretion in this case (i.e., charging decisions and plea bargain recommendations) was influenced by personal relationships. ” he wrote.
“Absent these additional factors, the existence of a relationship between members of the prosecution team does not in itself entitle a criminal defendant to any relief,” she continued.
In the spring of 2021, Wade, along with two other attorneys, was asked by Willis to assist in an investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
“Attorneys we spoke to about taking on this job expressed hesitance due to concerns about violent rhetoric and potential family safety issues,” Wade said, adding that Willis was a candidate for the 2020 election. He added that he initially resisted when asked to serve as special prosecutor in the destruction case.
Willis argues that the Feb. 15 hearing is unnecessary and should be canceled.
“An evidentiary hearing on this issue is unnecessary because the defendants were unable to support their request for extreme relief with evidence supporting any remedy,” Willis said in a court filing Friday in response to the motion. It became,” he said. “After considering the (Nathan) Wade affidavit and other evidence presented, the State respectfully requests that the motion be dismissed without further pretense.”
CNN previously reported that Willis has no plans to resign from his election-subversion case, but it is unclear whether there is another prosecutor in Georgia willing to take on the case, and if Willis resigns, there will be no real This decision was made because there were concerns that the case would be closed.
The allegations have garnered public attention and been a distraction for Willis’ office, but although she did not directly address the allegations for several weeks, she has widely defended Wade and his team. was.
The affair allegation comes after Trump co-defendant and former 2020 campaign official Mike Roman said last month that Wade took her on a lavish vacation and billed his office for a portion of the cost. It was first raised in court filings accusing Willis of receiving financial benefit from the incident. on the case. Mr. Willis was appointed as Special Counsel Wade in 2021.
But the initial filing seeking her removal and dismissal of the lawsuit contained little direct evidence, and President Trump has since joined the effort. Since then, credit card statements revealed in Wade’s divorce case show that he paid for two plane tickets for Willis, to San Francisco and Miami.
Mr. Trump and the remaining 14 co-defendants were indicted by Mr. Willis last summer. A trial date has not yet been set. Willis is asking for a trial date to be set for August.
Four other co-defendants have already pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
CNN’s Devan Cole contributed to this report.
This story has been updated with additional reporting.
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