Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis appears to be fighting for her political life. The embattled prosecutor is currently facing a major challenge in Atlanta. With federal and state investigations into her conduct looming on the horizon, Willis could be hanging by a lean thread.
Willis, who is leading the effort to prosecute former President Donald Trump over alleged election meddling, has become a controversial figure in the last three months after it was revealed that she had an affair with a married prosecutor who she also headed had engaged in criminal prosecution. This and other factors could affect their ability to do so keep their position.
Willis has faced widespread scrutiny for her handling of the sprawling racketeering case against Trump’s alleged attempt to overturn his narrow 2020 election loss to President Biden in Georgia.
Nearly two months ago, a judge ruled that Willis could continue to lead the prosecution in the case as long as Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor she appointed and with whom she had a romantic relationship, resigned.
Willis is expected to fend off a challenge from local attorney Christian Wise Smith in the primary, but he is likely to face further attacks in the general election from Republican Courtney Kramer, a lawyer who interned for Trump.
Meanwhile, a Georgia Senate special committee is investigating Willis for possible conflicts of interest and misuse of public funds. Of particular interest are payments from Willis’ office to Nathan Wade, the prosecutor with whom she had a romantic relationship.
Among other things, they examined payments to Nathan Wade, with whom she admitted to having a relationship. Senators questioned Treasury officials Friday about how the funds would be used.
Republican Senator Bill Cowsert questioned finance officials about numerous “enhancement requests” for additional money Willis has provided, including one for about $1 million in 2023 for general litigation costs.
Fulton County Finance Director Sharon Whittmore said the amount was set as a “lump sum with no specific line-item details” to explain what it would be used for, according to the Washington Examiner.
Cowsert said he was trying to “get a feel for exactly how much oversight” there was in the office, adding: “It sounds like it’s very lax when it comes to independent contractor employment practices and spending.” .”
Last month, a whistleblower named Amanda Timpson came forward about the misuse of federal grants. She said that when she informed the prosecutor about the problem, she was fired. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) indicated that Timpson was speaking with lawmakers and assisting with their investigation into Willis’ office.
“We have spoken to the whistleblower, she is passing information on to the press and to us. Now the Justice Department is investigating the matter,” Jordan said during an interview with Fox Business. “All sorts of problems with Fani Willis and this ridiculous investigation she conducted against President Trump and others.”
Willis and Jordan have had verbal arguments on several occasions. Recently she has whipped to the legislature because he investigated her.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis criticized the investigation launched in her office by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, as “disgusting” and called him a clown.
“He continues his attacks to interfere in criminal investigations. Yet his jurisdiction has one of the highest crime rates, has poverty problems, and not once has he used his position to try to investigate people who attack me and others who attack others who are legitimately doing their jobs, which in his case makes him an illegitimate position. And it’s disgusting,” Willis said on MSNBC Monday night.
Jordan’s investigation includes examining possible collusion between Willis and the special committee on Jan. 6, as well as an investigation into her operate of federal funds.
survey last month showed Willis with a significant lead over her main opponent. However, this was the only poll conducted related to the race. But even if Willis manages to keep her position, she won’t be able to rest basic as the investigation into her conduct as a prosecutor continues.
