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As Judge Scott McAfee determines whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be disqualified and dismissed for conduct during her investigation and criminal trial into former President Donald J. Trump and eighteen co-defendants, she will now face two new complaints for ethics violations and willful misconduct in office.
Georgia Citizens Defending Freedom State Director Holly Kesler filed the two complaints with both the newly formed Prosecuting Attorneys’ Qualifications Commission and the Fulton County Board of Ethics, respectively. The complaints are separate and distinct from the criminal trial, but the complaints could have far reaching consequences beyond what is awaiting Willis in Judge McAfee’s courtroom. The complaints request investigations that could result in Willis being removed from public office, removal of her contractual authority on behalf of Fulton County, and fines and penalties, among others.
Read full complaints here: Complaint 1 | Complaint 2
The first complaint, filed with the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Qualifications Commission on February 22, 2024, provides a detailed analysis of alleged willful misconduct in office, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, and other acts that constitute grounds for removal of Willis from office.
The second complaint, filed with the Fulton County Board of Ethics on February 26, 2024, alleges that Willis violated Fulton County ethical rules that are in place to prevent self-dealing behavior by public officials.
As detailed in the Ethics Complaint, Willis approved Professional Services Agreements worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for Wade after beginning an admitted romantic relationship. The approval of subsequent contracts after the relationship began has not been a focus in the current criminal trial but is problematic for Willis when examined under the rules that govern her ethical conduct as a public officeholder.
Specifically, Wade was awarded a second Professional Services Contract on November 15, 2022 and a third contract was awarded to Wade on June 12, 2023. The complaint further alleges that the public funds Willis disbursed to Wade were used for her own personal benefit in the form of gifts and travel in-kind that went unreported on mandatory disclosure reports. All violations of the Fulton County Ethics Code.
Georgia Attorney Alex Johnson, who assisted with the complaint analysis, stated “Public service is a public trust. DA Willis has continued to place the integrity, trust, and accountability of her elected office in question, resulting in national embarrassment for the State of Georgia. She must be held accountable to the maximum extent permitted by law in order to restore trust and confidence in the judicial process.
The complaints filed by Mrs. Kesler are an important first step in that process. Further steps will be determined if the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Qualifications Commission and the Fulton County Ethics Board actually act, exercise leadership, and create the needed accountability.”
