Georgia lawmaker investigating Fani Willis plans more hearings with credible witnesses.
A Georgia state senator leading the investigation into the Fulton County district attorney’s office has raised doubts about District Attorney Fani Willis’ claims regarding her relationship, following a whistleblower’s testimony.
The Georgia Senate Special Committee on Investigations, headed by Republican state Sen. Bill Cowsert, convened for its fourth hearing to delve into Willis’ alleged misconduct and misappropriation of funds.
Amanda Timpson, who previously held the position of Willis’ director of juvenile diversion programs, testified that she was demoted and eventually terminated after exposing the office’s misuse of federal grant money.
Timpson revealed that in 2020, right after Willis assumed office, Nathan Wade – with whom Willis is rumored to have had an “inappropriate” relationship – participated in every interview panel for Willis’ incoming staff.
However, Wade was not hired as a special prosecutor until around a year later, in November 2021, to assist in prosecuting the racketeering case against former President Trump related to alleged election interference.
Willis and Wade refuted allegations of an improper affair before Wade’s employment, claiming that their romantic involvement only began post-hiring. Nonetheless, Cowsert has expressed skepticism about this assertion.
In a committee hearing in March, lawyer Ashleigh Merchant disclosed that data from Wade’s cellphone indicated multiple visits to the condo Willis was renting prior to his hiring.
Despite arguments that geolocation data is unreliable as evidence, Merchant pointed out that the same data is being utilized in another courtroom by the state for prosecution while contesting its reliability in their case.
Merchant and legal representatives for Trump and other co-defendants are seeking to disqualify Willis from the case by appealing to the Georgia Court of Appeals. A judge ruled in March that Willis could remain involved only if Wade was removed, leading to Wade’s subsequent resignation.
Meanwhile, a state legislative committee was formed with the authority to issue subpoenas to investigate the Fulton County district attorney’s office. Cowsert praised Timpson as a highly credible witness, highlighting the lack of dispute concerning the accuracy of her complaints among committee members.
Timpson detailed facing substantial retaliation and resistance following her disclosure of the office’s misuse of federal grant funds, ultimately leading to her demotion to a file clerk position.
Cowsert empathized with Timpson, acknowledging her aspirations to make a positive impact stemming from her experiences with gang activity in Compton, California, and her subsequent work in youth intervention.
The committee plans to conduct further hearings in the coming months. Willis has declined to testify, citing the committee as “unlawful,” despite its subpoena authority.
