Fani Willis Seeks to Restrict Testimony of Ex-Special Prosecutor on Trump RICO Case

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is attempting to limit what her former special prosecutor, Nathan Wade, can reveal to Congress about the high-profile 2020 Georgia election interference case involving former President Donald Trump and his allies. In a letter dated October 11, Willis asserted that Wade, who left the RICO case earlier this year amid a scandal, should not answer questions about ongoing prosecutions when he testifies before the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee this week.

Wade’s departure from the case came after a judge ruled that one of them had to step down, following revelations of a personal relationship between Wade and Willis. The judge cited concerns over the “appearance of impropriety” in the prosecution’s conduct. Despite stepping down, Wade now finds himself at the center of a congressional investigation that seeks to explore the conduct of Willis and the broader prosecution of Trump.

• Fani Willis is urging Wade to withhold information concerning ongoing prosecutions and to avoid divulging any confidential evidence from the Georgia election interference case.

• Nathan Wade’s testimony has been sought by the House Judiciary Committee, which is investigating potential misconduct and misuse of federal funds related to the RICO case.

• Wade left the case after a scandal involving his relationship with Willis, casting a shadow over the case’s legitimacy and potentially compromising the prosecution.

Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) and the House Judiciary Committee want Wade’s testimony to clarify the details of his relationship with Willis and any possible conflicts of interest that may have influenced the case against Trump. Jordan has raised concerns that Willis is trying to obstruct a legitimate inquiry into how the case was handled. The Judiciary Committee’s efforts to question Wade are part of a broader investigation into the potential misuse of federal funds and other alleged misconduct by the Fulton County DA’s office.

In her letter, Willis claimed that forcing Wade to testify could lead to the improper disclosure of privileged information protected by the DA's office. She also expressed concerns about Wade being pressured to violate State Bar of Georgia rules that govern attorney conduct. Despite these concerns, Wade is scheduled to testify before Congress, with his lawyer citing the “vitriol and anger” his client has faced as a result of the controversy.

Adding to the intrigue, the judiciary panel had to involve U.S. Marshals to locate Wade after he failed to appear for a previously scheduled hearing. The Committee ultimately secured his testimony, though it remains unclear how much Wade will divulge, given Willis’ instructions.

This latest clash between Willis and Congress comes on the heels of earlier tensions, where Jordan’s committee demanded documents from Willis’ office regarding possible misuse of federal funds. Willis denied any wrongdoing but has had to fend off multiple legal and ethical challenges throughout the course of the case.

Former President Trump, who has pleaded not guilty in the Georgia RICO case, continues to fight the charges as he campaigns for the presidency once again. While some of the charges in the case have been dismissed, the trial is unlikely to start before Election Day a delay Willis reportedly sought to avoid.

As Willis tries to limit what Wade can reveal, the question remains: what exactly is she trying to hide from congressional investigators?

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