Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Latest Breaking News
In reply to the discussion: Fani Willis can remain on Trump Georgia case if special prosecutor steps aside [View all]BumRushDaShow
(169,071 posts)4. Well the decision seems easy, although AP did a doozy of a headline
Fulton County DA Fani Willis must step aside or remove special prosecutor in Trump case, judge says
Updated 9:35 AM EDT, March 15, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis must step aside from the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump or remove the special prosecutor with whom she had a romantic relationship before the case can proceed, the judge overseeing it ruled Friday.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee did not find that Willis relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade amounted to a conflict of interest that should disqualify her from the case. However, he said, the allegations created an appearance of impropriety that infected the prosecution team.
As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed, the judge wrote.
Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist.
(snip)
https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-indictment-fani-willis-trump-60b7dd9642fc9ef7c03d75980692334c
Updated 9:35 AM EDT, March 15, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis must step aside from the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump or remove the special prosecutor with whom she had a romantic relationship before the case can proceed, the judge overseeing it ruled Friday.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee did not find that Willis relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade amounted to a conflict of interest that should disqualify her from the case. However, he said, the allegations created an appearance of impropriety that infected the prosecution team.
As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed, the judge wrote.
Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist.
(snip)
https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-indictment-fani-willis-trump-60b7dd9642fc9ef7c03d75980692334c
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
Recommendations
2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):
87 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
Fani Willis can remain on Trump Georgia case if special prosecutor steps aside [View all]
ificandream
Mar 2024
OP
Please hire a black woman. Please hire a black woman. Please hire a black woman.
Kennah
Mar 2024
#32
Ms Willis is a MONSTER prosecutor...but thinking about your post, I agree she should take a back seat
iluvtennis
Mar 2024
#63
Even a perception of conflict of interest has to be taken seriously to avoid successful appeals. Good ruling.
Martin68
Mar 2024
#30
I thought they were examining evidence to determine whether an affair took place, when it started, and how
Martin68
Mar 2024
#47
I'm afraid you misunderstood my point. I know exactly what boilerplate means. You were responding to a comment I made
Martin68
Mar 2024
#85
"Impropriety"? "Irreparably damaged"? Bull SHIT! Prosecute the criminals, Willis.
Hermit-The-Prog
Mar 2024
#3
I guess we ought to be thankful that the judge didn't say she should smile more.
Hermit-The-Prog
Mar 2024
#26
A consenting adult who is on her payroll ....really, you should not be sleeping with a subordinate.......
bottomofthehill
Mar 2024
#31
we was being paid $250.00 an hour that would be $500,000 a year, staff lawyers make $175,000
bottomofthehill
Mar 2024
#62
Wade was getting paid the same hourly rate as the other two special prosecutors contracted for this case.
SunSeeker
Mar 2024
#69
Yeah, little missy shouldn't be so uppity in her high and mighty independence.
Hermit-The-Prog
Mar 2024
#27
You're clearly not familiar with common ethics rules regarding workplace relationships. Nt
Fiendish Thingy
Mar 2024
#41
Then surely you are aware of the standards that exist around relationships between supervisors and hires.
Fiendish Thingy
Mar 2024
#68
Surely you are aware of the difference between employees and independent contractors.
SunSeeker
Mar 2024
#71
Georgia law only requires disqualification of a DA upon proof of a financial conflict of interest.
SunSeeker
Mar 2024
#79
Yep. The ruling is unnecessary baby splitting just for the sake of baby splitting. But it is what it is.
Hassin Bin Sober
Mar 2024
#21
So, this delay could have been avoided if she hadn't hired him in the first place
Fiendish Thingy
Mar 2024
#13
Fani should charge both of them with perjury and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law
MichMan
Mar 2024
#53
Mess could have been avoided if one of them stepped down when this frist broke.
Silent Type
Mar 2024
#25
Are you watching, Clarence? Even the APPEARANCE of impropriety is a longstanding legal ethics standard.
JudyM
Mar 2024
#39
'said either Willis and her office must fully leave the case or Wade must withdraw from the proceeding.'
elleng
Mar 2024
#45
This is a great loss of knowledge and expertise that will create delays or worse.
live love laugh
Mar 2024
#84