Judge rules attorney Fani Willis can stay on Trump election subversion trial despite row over her romance

In the trial concerning former US President Donald Trump's alleged election interference, Judge Scott McAfee has ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis ought not to be disqualified from prosecuting the case.However, Judge McAfee stated that either she or special prosecutor Nathan Wade, should step down from the case.

Accusations of meddling in the electoral process, particularly during the 2020 presidential race had sparked intense debate and legal scrutiny with defence attorneys contending that Willis should be disqualified from the case due to her relationship with Nathan Wade. Notably, Wade was appointed as a special prosecutor for the proceedings.

Following the ruling, the main attorney representing Trump in the Georgia 2020 election case, Steve Sadow, criticised Judge Scott McAfee's ruling.Sadow expressed his disagreement with the court's decision, saying he sees "prosecutorial misconduct" by Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade.

He highlighted issues such as financial benefits, alleged dishonesty about their personal relationship, and what he described as Willis's inappropriate use of race-related rhetoric in a speech.

"We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place,” Sadow added after the ruling.

Wade and Willis' relationship

During recent testimony, Fani Willis discussed the conclusion of her relationship with Nathan Wade. She saidthat the physical aspect of the relationship ceased in the summer 2023, but they officially ended things after a challenging conversation.

Willis indicated that her relationship with Wade had soured, revealing instances where Wade made sexist comments. She recounted disagreements about gender equality and recalled Wade's remark about women's roles, which she interpreted as derogatory.

“It’s interesting that we’re here about this money. Mr. Wade is used to women that, as he told me one time: ‘The only thing a woman can do for him is make him a sandwich,’” Willis said in her testimony earlier.

The accusations surfaced after a January filing by Ashleigh Merchant, an attorney representing a Trump co-defendant in Georgia,Michael Roman. Merchant asserted that Willis and Wade had been benefiting from the legal proceedings at the taxpayers' cost. She also contended that Wade lacked the necessary qualifications and advocated for the dismissal of the complete indictment.

(With inputs from agencies)