Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee is currently presiding over an evidentiary hearing to determine whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her office should be disqualified from prosecuting the 2020 election interference case in Georgia. The motion to disqualify was filed by a co-defendant of former President Donald Trump, who alleges an “improper” romantic relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
Michael Roman, a former Republican National Committee staffer, claims that Willis engaged in an inappropriate relationship with Wade, paying him over $650,000 for his work with the D.A.’s office. Roman further alleges that Wade financially benefited from the relationship, purportedly taking Willis on cruises and trips. Judge McAfee has not yet made a ruling on whether Willis and Wade will be required to testify, stating that he will decide after further examination during the ongoing hearing.
Judge McAfee emphasized the importance of the evidentiary hearing, stating that the allegations made could potentially lead to disqualification. He outlined several key issues to be addressed, including the existence and nature of the relationship, its timeline, and any personal benefits derived from it. Additionally, McAfee dismissed certain arguments raised by Roman’s attorney, such as Wade’s alleged lack of experience in handling racketeering cases like the Trump case. The judge clarified that as long as a lawyer possesses a valid license, their appointment falls within the discretion of the District Attorney’s office. Furthermore, McAfee found no violations of relevant Fulton County case law code that would warrant disqualification of the prosecutor in a pending criminal case.
