Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor leading the 2020 election subversion case in Georgia, is facing increased scrutiny as a judge calls for a hearing on whether he and the district attorney, Fani Willis, should be disqualified over allegations of an affair and financial ties.
The judge overseeing the case has asked for a hearing to address claims from one of Donald Trump’s co-defendants, Mike Roman, who argues that the alleged conflict of interest should lead to the dismissal of the entire criminal case against him.
Current and former law partners of Nathan Wade are expected to receive subpoenas to testify at the hearing next month. The hearing is scheduled for February 15, and the judge has called for a response from Fani Willis by February 2.
This development comes amid ongoing allegations that Willis and Wade had a romantic relationship and that Willis financially benefited from Wade taking her on personal vacations.
Fulton County DA affair allegations (Credits: WSB-TV)
Mike Roman’s defense attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, has indicated that she will issue subpoenas for witness testimony at the hearing. Roman contends that the alleged conflict of interest undermines the integrity of the case against him.
Despite these allegations, legal experts suggest that the case is unlikely to be derailed, but it has become a significant distraction, providing Trump and his allies with an opportunity to claim a corrupt justice system.
The allegations include claims that Wade purchased airline tickets for personal vacations with Willis, and court records show payments for trips to Miami and San Francisco.
While Willis has defended Wade’s qualifications for the job, the allegations have raised questions about the propriety of his appointment as special prosecutor in the high-profile election subversion case.
The upcoming hearing, which will be live-streamed like all hearings in the Georgia 2020 election case, is expected to feature witness testimony related to the alleged romantic relationship between Willis and Wade. Legal analysts suggest that the judge may seek to control the proceedings to prevent distractions.
Fani Willis has not directly addressed the affair allegations but has argued that her adversaries are targeting her and Wade because of race.
Despite having more experienced felony prosecutors on her staff, Willis appointed Wade to the post in 2021 as the investigation into Trump and his allies was intensifying.
While the affair allegations may not necessarily be a “death blow” to the case, according to legal analysts, they are seen as a significant distraction.
The hearing will likely provide further insights into the complex dynamics surrounding the case, with potential witness testimony adding to the public scrutiny of the proceedings.
As the Georgia 2020 election case continues, the focus on personal relationships and financial ties threatens to overshadow the legal merits of the charges against Donald Trump and his co-defendants.
The outcome of the hearing could have implications for the trajectory of the case and how it is perceived by the public.
