Channel 2 Action News has acquired fresh details regarding the legal filing in the Georgia election interference lawsuit, claiming an inappropriate personal relationship between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and the special prosecutor handling the case.
The defense lawyer behind these claims informed Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne that she possesses eyewitnesses to support the explosive allegations.
The district attorney’s office spokesperson highlighted their success in winning all significant motions and appeals in the election interference case. However, with the emergence of a motion containing inflammatory accusations against one of the nation’s leading prosecutors, there is a growing curiosity about the evidence supporting these claims.
People are eager to hear from the lawyer behind these allegations and inquire about the substantiation.
Ashleigh Merchant stated that she wouldn’t have submitted such a motion without multiple corroborating sources. The motion, filed on behalf of her client Michael Roman, alleges an inappropriate relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade, potentially compromising the case. Merchant informed Winne that she possesses documentary evidence to support these claims.
“We look forward to litigating this motion in court where we can bring forward all of our evidence,” Merchant said.
She informed Winne that she anticipates presenting eyewitness testimony regarding the purported relationship between Willis and Wade. Jeff DiSantis, spokesperson for the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, stated that the office will address Merchant’s allegations through court filings and proceedings, expressing anticipation in handling the matter. Merchant affirms that she has witnesses willing to testify in court if subpoenaed, even if they prefer not to provide written affidavits.
She mentioned having conversed with a former employee of the DA’s office who believed it was widely known that Willis and Wade were in a relationship.
DiSantis countered, stating that as a DA’s office employee, he never heard of such a thing, and there was no shared awareness within the office regarding such a relationship.
Merchant asserted that her client, Roman, is innocent of the RICO conspiracy and other charges related to the alleged fake electors scheme he’s accused of. She added that Roman turned down an offer to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge in exchange for straight probation.
DiSantis disclosed that Wade has been compensated at $250 per hour for his work, which he considers below the market rate for a lawyer of Wade’s experience. Wade’s role in the election interference case, according to DiSantis, involves managing a team of investigators and lawyers working on the matter.
“I’m leery to move and adopt motions that make such allegations without having a better understanding or substantiation of the allegation,” former President Donald Trump’s Georgia attorney Steve Sadow said during a court hearing Friday.
“Obviously, my plan with this was to allow the state an opportunity to respond before setting a hearing date,” Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said during that hearing.
It seems Nathan Wade’s role in the election interference case has become intertwined with his divorce proceedings, which reportedly commenced in November 2021.
According to a document filed by Joycelyn Wade’s side, it states, “Nathan Wade is a partner at his own law firm and has also been employed by Fulton County District Attorney’s Office since November 1, 2021, as the anti-corruption special prosecutor in the matter of the state of Georgia v. Donald John Trump et al. Earning almost $700,000 since May of 2022 alone.”
The filing alleges that despite earning substantial sums, Nathan Wade has provided minimal support to Joycelyn Wade “for her support and survival.”
Contrarily, a filing from Nathan Wade’s side contends that he has offered financial support to Joycelyn Wade and continues to do so.
The DA’s office confirmed that some investigators were recently asked to sign confidentiality agreements regarding their ongoing work. Willis was unaware until contacted, and upon learning, she ordered the agreements retracted, clarifying that there is no new confidentiality requirement.
DiSantis explained that the agreements were requested by two supervisors updating personnel files and have no connection to anything involving Willis and Wade.
DiSantis clarified that the almost $700,000 Wade has been paid dates back to October 2021.
