Trump, co-defendants seek review of judge's decision on Fani Willis
The former president and seven of his co-defendants are seeking an "immediate review" of Judge Scott McAfee's ruling that allowed Willis to remain on the election interference case.
ATLANTA — Lawyers for former President Donald Trump and seven of his co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case are seeking a review of a Georgia judge's decision not to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
The request was filed Monday after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said Friday morning that Willis would be allowed to stay on the racketeering case she brought against Trump if Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor she appointed to the case, resigned. Wade resigned that afternoon.
Attorneys for Trump and the co-defendants had accused both Willis and Wade of misconduct and alleged Willis was financially benefiting from a romantic relationship she'd had with Wade after the two took vacations together while working on the case. McAfee found no conflict of interest but said either Willis and her office or Wade had to step aside because of the "appearance of impropriety."
In Monday's filing, Trump and his co-defendants argued that Wade's resignation "is insufficient to cure the appearance of impropriety the Court has determined exists" and said the matter needs to be decided by the state Court of Appeals.
Trump attorney Steve Sadow said in a statement Monday that McAfee’s ruling is “ripe for pretrial appellate review,” noting that McAfee “found that Willis’ actions created an appearance of impropriety and an ‘odor of mendacity’ that lingers in this case” but had “nonetheless refused to dismiss the case or disqualify her.”
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