Georgia Republicans say Fani Willis inquiry isn’t a ‘witch hunt,’ but Democrats doubt good faith

ATLANTA– The Republican leading a specially appointed Georgia Senate committee to investigate whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis committed misconduct repeatedly stated during the panel’s first meeting Friday that he is only looking for the facts, but the leading Democrat who reluctantly sits on the panel said she doubts the group can overcome its partisan origins.

“It’s important that the public understands that this is not some kind of witch hunt,” said Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens, the Republican picked to lead the panel. “This is a matter of truth.”

The majority of Georgia’s Republican Senate voted 30-19 last month to establish a special investigative committee with subpoena power after allegations emerged that Willis had a conflict of interest in her prosecution of Donald Trump caused by her “personal relationship” with a special prosecutor she hired. the case. Legislative committees in Georgia do not normally use subpoenas or require people to testify under oath.

A spokesperson for Willis did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment Friday.

Willis hired outside attorney Nathan Wade to lead a team that would investigate and ultimately prosecute Trump and 18 others accused of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally try to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia . In a court filing earlier this month, Willis acknowledged a “personal relationship” with Wade.

That came in response to a motion filed by Trump co-defendant Michael Roman seeking to dismiss the case and prevent Willis and Wade and their offices from continuing to prosecute the case. The filing stated that Willis paid Wade large amounts of money and then unlawfully benefited personally from the prosecution of the case when Wade used his earnings to pay for the couple’s vacations.

“You lose the public’s confidence in the fairness of our criminal justice system if they think prosecutors are pursuing prosecutions so that their loved ones can get rich and they can share in the benefits,” Cowsert told reporters after the hearing.

Trump has repeatedly called Wade Willis’ “lover” in attacks on the prosecutor.

In an affidavit filed earlier this month in the filing acknowledging the relationship between Wade and Willis, Wade said the “personal relationship” began in 2022, after he was hired as special prosecutor for the election case. The filing also argued that a hearing on motions to disqualify Willis from the case was unnecessary.

But in a new filing Friday, Roman’s attorney Ashleigh Merchant doubled down on her argument that she has evidence a romantic relationship between Willis and Wade began earlier than they acknowledged. In arguing that an evidentiary hearing is necessary, the motion says that Wade and Wills were “not forthcoming” in the motion filed earlier this month and “there is no reason to believe that they are now telling the truth.”

The Senate panel does not have the power to sanction or remove Willis. It can only recommend changes in state spending or state laws. But it could have the opportunity to delve deep into Willis’ personal and professional life and air the dirty laundry widely. Attorneys for Roman and others are trying to do the same at a hearing next week, but the district attorney’s office has said it will ask Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to dismiss the subpoenas.

Cowsert said he wouldn’t be surprised if someone challenged the Senate panel’s subpoena power, but expressed confidence it would be upheld.

The three Democrats on the nine-member panel voted to approve rules that would allow the committee to hire outside lawyers, investigators and investigators and take private depositions, and allow for closed hearings. Cowsert told reporters he expected the investigation to take “many months,” and said the pace of work might not pick up until after lawmakers complete their regular session in late March.

Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler, a Democrat from Stone Mountain, said at the meeting, “I can’t say I’m looking forward to this,” but said she wanted the committee to be productive and praised Cowsert for crafting fair rules. told reporters she doubts party differences can be overcome.

“I think a political witch hunt or a show trial would damage Georgians’ confidence in both our political and legal systems,” Butler said at the meeting. “Our duty as public servants is to strengthen that belief, not weaken it.”

Cowsert said “whistleblowers within the Fulton County District Attorney’s office” have contacted senators to allege that federal and state funds have been misused.

“People have come forward asking to speak to us with relevant information,” Cowsert told reporters after the meeting. “I don’t know that information yet. I didn’t interview them.”

That discussion echoes claims by U.S. House Republicans, who last week subpoenaed documents from Willis related to a former employee’s claims that she was fired after discovering misused federal gang prevention grants.

Cowsert repeatedly said the commission “would not interfere with any pending criminal charges.” He also said the committee would try to stay out of the way of a new oversight committee that Georgia lawmakers are trying to set up. Governor Brian Kemp has said he prefers a commission, over the Senate, to investigate claims against Willis.

The Senate is led by Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who describes himself as a “Trump man,” and includes other Republican lawmakers who also publicly supported Trump’s efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results. Willis was barred by a judge from prosecuting Jones after she hosted a fundraiser for a Democratic opponent. The panel also begins its work in a year when all of Georgia’s legislative seats will be up for election.