Fulton County DA Fani Willis Ordered to Pay Over $54,000 for Open Records Violation
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been ordered to pay more than $54,000 for violating Georgia’s open records laws in connection with the prosecution of former President Donald Trump.
In a significant development, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause has ruled that Willis must pay $54,264 in attorneys’ fees and litigation costs. This ruling comes after Willis intentionally failed to provide documents requested by attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who sought to disqualify Willis from prosecuting Trump on charges related to the 2020 presidential election interference.
The court’s decision highlighted the failure of Willis’ office to provide records concerning the employment of Nathan Wade, the former special assistant district attorney who resigned amid controversy over his romantic relationship with Willis. Merchant argued that Willis and Wade might have financially benefited from Wade’s appointment as special prosecutor.
The court order criticized Dexter Bond, the Open Records custodian, for handling Merchant’s requests differently and with hostility. The order stated that Bond’s refusal to communicate with Merchant by telephone indicated a lack of good faith and that the defendants’ actions were intentional and substantially groundless.
Following the ruling, Merchant expressed pride in the judiciary’s willingness to hold powerful figures accountable. Willis’ office has 30 days to pay the penalty and must now provide the requested documents as per the court’s injunctive relief.
The disqualification of Willis and her team from the Trump election interference case has been celebrated by Trump, who called the case ’entirely dead.’ This decision marks a significant turn in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the former president.