A Georgia judge ruled on Friday that the district lawyer who brought 2020 election interference charges against Donald Trump can remain on the case if her lead prosecutor, with whom she had a romantic relationship, steps aside.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said he did not conclude that District Attorney Fani Willis’ relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade amounted to a conflict of interest. However, he said, it created an “appearance of impropriety” that infected the prosecution team.
Trump and his co-defendants in the racketeering case had been seeking to have Willis removed – dooming the possibility of a trial before November’s election – following revelations of the relationship.
“As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed,” the judge wrote.
“Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist.”
Trump Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis admits relationship, says no misconduct
Trump Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis admits relationship, says no misconduct
Willis and Wade testified at a hearing last month that they had engaged in a romantic relationship, but they rejected the idea that Willis improperly benefited from it, as lawyers for Trump and some of his co-defendants alleged.
The ruling is a blow to the former US president and Republican candidate to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden.
Trump has sought to delay trials in the four criminal cases he faces until after the November election.
Trump sells pieces of suit worn in Georgia mugshot
Trump sells pieces of suit worn in Georgia mugshot
McAfee’s decision caps a tumultuous two months for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, whose relationship with the special prosecutor she appointed to lead the case was revealed in a January court filing by a Trump co-defendant.
Defence lawyers said the relationship posed a conflict of interest and improperly enriched Willis and Wade, who vacationed together while Wade was drawing a government salary.
After the ruling, Trump’s lawyer said they will use all “legal options” available to fight to end the Georgia case.
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Mugshot taken of Donald Trump in US presidential 1st after he surrenders in Georgia election case
Mugshot taken of Donald Trump in US presidential 1st after he surrenders in Georgia election case
Trump is accused of illegally pressuring state officials to overturn his loss to Joe Biden in Georgia in the 2020 election.
The ruling comes after the US Supreme Court agreed to review Trump’s bid for presidential immunity in his Washington election interference case, which could delay that trial until after the election.
Reporting by Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Associated Press