On January 12, during a motions hearing, Judge Scott McAfee from Fulton County Superior Court suggested a mid-February hearing to address what’s been called “scandalous” allegations related to the relationship between the district attorney and a prosecutor in the case against former President Donald Trump.
As reported by The Epoch Times on January 13, 2024, the charges revolve around Trump’s actions to contest the 2020 election results. Trump and 14 codefendants are accused of violating the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
During the hearing, defendant Michael Roman, a former GOP strategist, made noteworthy claims, alleging the improper use of funds in the district attorney’s office. Roman specifically accused Nathan Wade, a prosecutor in the case, of taking luxurious vacations with District Attorney Fani Willis using state funds.
Nathan Wade, currently going through a divorce, is a partner at a private law firm and has allegedly received close to $1 million in legal fees from the district attorney’s office, as per the motion presented by Michael Roman, a former GOP strategist.
Roman also claimed that funds intended for clearing the COVID backlog were misused, and his 100-plus page filing seeks the dismissal of charges against him along with the removal of the district attorney and her team..
Prosecutors haven’t responded yet, and Judge McAfee mentioned a mid-February hearing after the response is received. Steve Sadow, Trump’s attorney, requested to delay considering the motion until after the district attorney responds, citing a lack of foundation for the “scandalous and salacious” allegations. The judge approved this approach.
Roman’s filing relies on “sources” without offering concrete evidence of Wade and Willis’s alleged relationship or proof of extravagant vacation spending. The motion argues that having a special prosecutor with a personal relationship with the district attorney creates an irreparable defect in the indictment.
Roman contends that public records don’t show county approval for Wade’s appointment as a special prosecutor, and sealed records in Wade’s ongoing divorce case are deemed “indefensible conduct,” creating another alleged irreparable defect in the indictment.
In a parallel development, District Attorney Fani Willis faces an investigation by House Republicans, accusing her of election interference and collusion with the Jan. 6 Select Committee. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has sent a letter to Wade, demanding materials related to oversight of politically motivated prosecutions by state and local officials.
The letter refers to Roman’s motion, claiming that Wade has received over $650,000 for his involvement in investigating and prosecuting Trump and other former federal officials. It also touches on the accusation of extravagant vacation spending with Willis.
Wade’s invoices allegedly include expenses related to interviewing investigators with the Jan. 6 Select Committee and hours of White House interviews.
The House Judiciary Committee is requesting documents that shed light on coordination between the district attorney’s office and other politically motivated investigations, as well as potential misuse of federal funds.
