Fani Willis hearing: Judge to hear final arguments over removal

The judge in the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump is set to hear final legal arguments Friday over whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be removed from the prosecution over a romantic relationship with another prosecutor on the case.

Attorneys for Trump and other defendants in the election case argue Willis’ romantic relationship with lead prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she hired, poses a conflict of interest. They allege Willis paid Wade large sums for his work and then improperly benefited when he paid for vacations for the two of them.

Willis and Wade have acknowledged the relationship, which they said ended last summer, but they have argued it does not create any conflict and has no bearing on the case. They said they didn’t begin dating until spring 2022, after Wade was hired, and they split travel expenses.