Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled on Friday morning that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can continue leading the Georgia election case against Trump and his associates despite her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, which raised concerns about potential bias.
McAfee acknowledged that while there was an appearance of impropriety due to Willis’s relationship, there wasn’t enough evidence to prove an actual conflict that would warrant disqualification. He stated that claims of an actual conflict were unsubstantiated, as there was no indication that Willis gained a personal stake in the case or that her financial dealings influenced the proceedings.
However, McAfee emphasized that the appearance of impropriety tainted the prosecution team’s credibility and required corrective action. He granted some of the defendants’ motions while denying others, underscoring the need to address the perceived conflict of interest.
McAfee’s ruling followed a motion from one of the co-defendants, Michael Roman, who argued that Willis should be disqualified due to her relationship with Wade, alleging financial benefits for Willis from hiring him. Testimony during the hearing revealed conflicting accounts regarding the timeline of Willis and Wade’s relationship, with Willis claiming it began after Wade was hired in 2022, while a former colleague asserted it started earlier, in 2019.
Despite admitting to reimbursing Wade for vacations in cash, Willis denied any financial impropriety, stating that she kept money at home rather than in the bank. McAfee’s ruling did not condone Willis’s judgment lapses but emphasized the court’s obligation to adhere to relevant legal standards and issues.
