Chief Prosecutor in Georgia Election Subversion Case Faces Scrutiny for Alleged Romantic Relationship with District Attorney
When Nathan Wade assumed the role of lead prosecutor in the 2021 Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump, it raised eyebrows among his colleagues and legal counterparts in Cobb County. Questions arose about his qualifications, as Wade, a practitioner in Cobb County, primarily handled misdemeanors and lacked extensive experience as a felony prosecutor.
Over two years later, concerns have emerged regarding Wade’s involvement in the case. One of Trump’s co-defendants, facing criminal charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, has alleged in court documents that Wade is romantically involved with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The co-defendant further claims that Wade misused funds billed to the district attorney’s office for lavish vacations with Willis.
While direct evidence of their romantic involvement was not included in the filing, Willis has been served with a subpoena to appear at a deposition in Wade’s divorce proceedings. Willis’ spokesperson, Pallavi Bailey, stated that the office would address the allegations through appropriate court filings.
Wade, who has not responded to CNN’s requests for comment, appeared at a scheduled Friday afternoon motions hearing with a smile. The situation has stirred a political controversy, with Trump and his co-defendant arguing for the removal of Wade, Willis, and the entire district attorney’s office from the case. The allegations, if proven true, may not necessarily derail the prosecution, but the perceived conflict of interest could undermine Willis’ chances of securing a conviction.
The presiding judge announced plans for a hearing on the allegations in early February. Former DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James expressed concerns about Willis’ decision to involve Wade in the case, given the potential implications of an improper relationship.
Legal analyst Michael Moore suggested that Willis should consider stepping away from the high-profile case to preserve its integrity. Meanwhile, Republican House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan has requested documents and communications related to the Georgia investigation into Trump’s election efforts from Wade.
The allegations against Willis and Wade stem from a court filing by Michael Roman, a former Trump 2020 campaign official indicted over his involvement in the fake electors plot in Georgia. Trump’s team is contemplating joining Roman’s motion, amplifying the accusations against Wade and Willis.
Additionally, Trump and his allies are seizing on entries in Wade’s expense reports, alleging undisclosed contacts between Fulton County prosecutors and the Biden White House. The contacts, revealed in Roman’s filing, include a phone call with the White House counsel’s office in May 2022 and an “interview with DC/White House” in November 2022. White House visitor logs, however, reportedly do not contain entries for Wade during that period.
The controversy surrounding Wade extends to billing practices, with a notable line item showing Wade billing the Fulton County DA for 24 hours in a day at $250 per hour on November 5, 2021. Legal experts criticized this as excessive, potentially damaging the credibility of Wade’s billing practices.
Despite the ongoing legal and political turmoil, the judge overseeing the case has scheduled a hearing to address the allegations in late January. The situation adds to a series of previous missteps in the high-profile case, including Willis’ disqualification in pursuing charges against Georgia state Sen. Burt Jones and concerns raised about Wade’s lack of experience in handling a RICO case.
Wade, described on his law firm’s website as a former prosecutor and trial attorney, faces mounting scrutiny as the legal proceedings unfold. The unfolding events could impact the prosecution’s credibility and the broader political landscape surrounding the case.
