Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was subpoenaed to testify in a divorce case involving special prosecutor Nathan Wade, according to the Wall Street Journal, the same day Donald Trump co-defendant Michael Roman sought to disqualify Willis and Wade from prosecuting the former president’s election interference case over allegations that the two were engaged in a romantic relationship.
KEY FACTS
Willis was subpoenaed Monday to provide testimony in a divorce case between Wade, a lawyer and special prosecutor in Trump’s election interference case, and Jocelyn Wade, his wife, the Journal reported.
The subpoena was reportedly served hours before Roman, a former Trump campaign official and co-defendant in the election interference case, submitted a filing seeking to remove Willis and Wade from the case and accusing both of engaging in an “improper, clandestine personal relationship” during the case’s pendency.
Roman claimed Willis appointed her alleged romantic partner, Wade, as special prosecutor in the election interference case, allegedly resulting in Wade being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars and Willis taking Wade on vacations with taxpayer money.
Roman cited unnamed sources close to Willis and Wade, claiming they confirmed a “personal relationship” between Willis and Wade during Wade’s divorce proceedings.
The subpoena didn’t include details on the sorts of questions Willis may face, according to the Journal.
Representatives for Willis and Wade didn’t immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment, though a Willis spokesperson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday that the DA’s office will respond to Roman’s claims “through appropriate court filings.”
KEY BACKGROUND
Willis is one of the lead prosecutors who charged Roman, Trump and 17 co-defendants in the election interference case last year. Roman, who pleaded not guilty, was charged with multiple felony counts accusing him of constructing a fake slate of Republican electors from multiple states to try to block the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. Trump was hit with 13 charges including conspiracy to impersonate a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree and a violation of Georgia’s racketeering and corruption act. However, the former president seeks to have the charges thrown out, arguing presidential immunity covered his actions during the 2020 presidential election.
FURTHER READING
Trump Co-Defendant Alleges DA Fani Willis Appointed ‘Romantic Partner’ As Prosecutor(Forbes)
Fani Willis, Prosecutor in Trump Georgia Case, Subpoenaed to Testify in Colleague’s Divorce(WSJ)