Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has acknowledged the resignation of lead prosecutor Nathan Wade, with whom she had an affair, commending his bravery in taking on the high-profile case against former President Donald Trump and 14 other defendants.
In a letter addressed to Mr. Wade on Friday, Ms. Willis accepted his resignation with immediate effect. She expressed gratitude, highlighting his courage in spearheading the investigation and prosecution of allegations concerning the attempted overturning of Georgia’s 2020 Presidential Election.
Mr. Wade’s resignation came shortly after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee’s ruling, affirming that Ms. Willis could continue prosecuting the case if the special prosecutor linked to the affair was removed.
“Other forums or sources of authority such as the General Assembly, the Georgia State Ethics Commission, the State Bar of Georgia, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, or the voters of Fulton County may offer feedback on any unanswered questions that linger,” the judge wrote.
Ms. Willis praised Mr. Wade for his professionalism and resilience amid challenges, including threats and unwarranted attacks on his character in the media and the courtroom.
Acknowledging Mr. Wade’s dedication to democracy and the swift progression of the case, Ms. Willis emphasized his unwavering commitment to serving the American public.
The relationship between Ms. Willis and Mr. Wade had been subject to scrutiny, following allegations that their affair had influenced the case and benefited Ms. Willis financially. Despite Judge McAfee’s ruling that the defendants had not demonstrated an actual conflict of interest to disqualify Ms. Willis, he highlighted the significant appearance of impropriety surrounding the prosecution team, which could undermine public trust in the legal system.
While Judge McAfee did not find grounds to disqualify Ms. Willis solely based on the appearance of impropriety, he emphasized the need for clarity and transparency. He criticized Ms. Willis for delivering a racially charged speech in January, shortly after the affair allegations surfaced, cautioning against the potential bias and prejudicial pretrial publicity resulting from such public comments.
