Subpoenas are being sought to be revoked by the Fulton County DA

Paresh Jadhav

9 months ago

On Feb. 15, a hearing will take place regarding allegations aimed at Fulton County DA Fani Willis and her staff, brought forth by Michael Roman. Mr. Roman has subpoenaed numerous individuals including Fulton DA Fani Willis herself to testify.

Willis and the prosecutor she hired to manage her case have admitted their romantic involvement, yet argue it shouldn’t disqualify them from participating. To protect their interests they intend to ask a judge to revoke subpoenas issued against them.

Table of Contents

Toggle

The Subpoenas

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has attempted to prevent subpoenas issued from attorneys representing former President Trump, 2020 campaign manager Michael Roman and others in her racketeering case from reaching her office members as witnesses or documents are required from them for testimony or documents collection purposes.

Willis asserted in court filings Wednesday that the vastness of subpoenas serve no other purpose than to harass her and her staff, and serve as an attempt at distracing from a current criminal election interference case involving Nathan Wade as well as several defendants.

Subpoenas issued include testimony requests to Willis, Executive District Attorney Daysha Young, Deputy District Attorney Sonya Allen and Assistant District Attorneys Cinque Axam and Capers Green. Also subpoenaed is the law firm representing Wade in his divorce proceedings with Joycelyn as well as personal and business bank records related to Wade’s law practice.

Willis’s Response

Fani Willis responded on Friday in court filings to attempts by defendants in her election case to disqualify her and special prosecutor Nathan Wade for having romantic relationships – something Roman claims creates an improper conflict of interest and improper use of taxpayer funds.

Willis asserts in her court filings that she and Wade had an established professional and non-romantic relationship prior to her appointment of him as lead prosecutor against Donald Trump co-defendants in November 2021. Furthermore, Willis alleges those questioning Wade’s qualifications for leading this prosecution are playing race card against him.

As a response, Jim Jordan of the House Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena to Fulton County regarding documents related to a Department of Justice grant awarded to Fulton’s District Attorney office. Jordan and his team want information regarding financial records and spending practices related to this grant award. A hearing has been set for Feb 15 on this matter.

Roman’s Response

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her co-prosecutor in the election interference case against former President Trump have been subpoenaed by an attorney representing Michael Roman, Ashleigh Merchant. Merchant has filed a lawsuit seeking documents from Willis’ office ahead of an anticipated hearing on February 15 regarding efforts to disqualify Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade due to any alleged romantic relationships they may share.

Willis filed a court filing Thursday alleging the subpoenas issued by Roman’s attorneys are unnecessary and improper and that they have been issued to harass her, delay the case, and distract the public. She asserts her lawyers were denied access to information requested, as well as being falsely told some records do not exist.

She accuses investigator Hill of engaging in subterfuge to avoid serving the subpoena on her, leading her to believe he mislead her when asked about service process stating the District Attorney had approved it.

The Hearing

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee will oversee a hearing next week to address this matter, ruling on its procedures, what evidence can be presented and any objections from either party involved in the matter. Furthermore, he will make an order regarding deposing witnesses involved in this case.

Willis contends in her motion that subpoenas directed against her and members of her staff are an unnecessary fishing expedition. She points to several cases in which courts have denied such requests on grounds that calling opposing counsel to testify rarely provides anything useful and often causes adverse media coverage.

She further asserts that holding a hearing would be an inefficient use of court resources, noting that on June 15, 2022 her counsel sent an email to the District Attorney’s Office with available July dates for a witness interview, offering any material necessary to protect privileged information while providing this service; but there was no response from them.