DA Fani Willis subpoenaed to testify alleged misconduct Trump case

DA and prosecutor subpoenaed to testify in election interference case after allegations of improper romance and misuse of funds.

The Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade have been subpoenaed to testify at a Feb. 15 hearing over a motion to have them thrown off the 2020 election interference case, according to an attorney representing one of the cases codefendants. This information surfaced in a lawsuit filed by the firm of Ashleigh Merchant against the DA's office. The lawsuit alleges that Willis' office has "refused, without adequate explanation" to provide information sought under the state's Open Records Act ahead of next month's hearing.

The Fulton County DA's Office contended in a recent letter that it followed state law. A spokesperson for the DA's office did not respond to questions before publication. This story will be updated once a response is received.

Merchant represents Mike Roman, a Philadelphia GOP consultant and a codefendant of former President Donald Trump in an election racketeering case. Merchant filed a motion on Roman's behalf earlier this month, alleging that Wade and Willis were engaged in an improper romance and misused taxpayer funds.

Records submitted in Wade's ongoing divorce proceedings in Cobb County allege that he purchased airline tickets for Willis to San Francisco and Miami, among other items. Wade also paid for hotels and cruises around the same time, but it's unclear if Willis was with him. Roman's team alleges that Willis improperly benefited because Wade used money he made from the election case to pay for the trips.

Recently unsealed documents in the divorce case reviewed by 11Alive showed no further proof of an alleged romance. Wade and Willis have not directly addressed the allegations.

Merchant's motion seeks to disqualify Wade, Willis, and the Fulton County District Attorney's Office from the case. The motion also seeks to have the case dismissed. Attorneys for Trump and codefendant Bob Cheeley also joined Merchant's motion.

"The court gave us an evidentiary hearing and we look forward to proving the allegations set forth in our motion," Merchant told 11Alive. "The best evidence, in addition to the documentary proof, is testimony from Mr. Wade and Ms. Willis. We look forward to providing them the opportunity to tell their side of the story."

Wade avoided testifying in his ongoing divorce trial Tuesday after he reached a temporary agreement with his estranged wife, Joycelyn.