Fani Willis, the self-proclaimed anti-Trump District Attorney, is facing scrutiny over an alleged improper relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, jeopardizing the ongoing prosecution of former Trump campaign official Michael Roman. A recent court motion filed on behalf of Roman seeks the dismissal of charges against him and the disqualification of Willis, Wade, and the entire District Attorney's office from further involvement in the case.
The public filing alleges that Willis hired Wade, her alleged romantic partner, as a special prosecutor, creating a conflict of interest. The motion contends that Wade, a private attorney, funded vacations with Willis using Fulton County funds obtained through his law firm, which has received nearly $654,000 in legal fees since early 2022. While there is no concrete proof of the romantic ties between Willis and Wade in the document, it claims that "sources close to both the special prosecutor and the district attorney have confirmed they had an ongoing, personal relationship."
The motion raises concerns about the financial aspects of their relationship, suggesting that the checks sent to Wade from Fulton County and his subsequent purchase of vacations for Willis might constitute honest services fraud—a federal crime involving kickbacks to an employer. The filing also hints at prosecuting this under the federal racketeering statute.
Defendant Michael Roman, a former Trump campaign official, is at the center of the controversy, with the motion aiming to have the charges against him dismissed. The document alleges that Willis and Wade have been engaged in a romantic relationship that began before Wade was appointed a special prosecutor. It claims they traveled together to Napa Valley and Florida and cruised the Caribbean, although there needs to be documented proof of these purchases.
The motion underscores the potential impropriety of Willis and Wade's alleged relationship, suggesting that it has resulted in personal gains from the prosecution at taxpayers' expense. As Roman seeks to have the charges dropped, the entire case's legitimacy is questioned, with implications for the broader political narrative surrounding prosecuting individuals associated with former President Donald Trump.