Fulton DA defends special prosecutor during church speech. Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis, a Democrat, found herself at the center of controversy one week after being accused of engaging in a romantic relationship with a special prosecutor, Richard Wade, whom she appointed to lead an election-interference case against former President Donald Trump.
The accusations also included financial benefits derived from Wade’s salary. Breaking her silence, Willis addressed the allegations during a Sunday speech at a historic Black church in Atlanta, where she suggested that racism was a driving force behind the claims.
“They are going to be mad when I call them out on this nonsense,” Willis asserted, addressing critics. She faced skepticism, with some anticipating her playing the race card.
However, she turned the tables, questioning whether it was her critics playing the race card by implying she needed guidance from an outside jurisdiction.
Willis defended Wade, describing him as a lawyer with “impeccable credentials” and decades of experience. She portrayed him as instrumental in assembling the prosecution team against Trump and his allies.
Curiously, Willis did not directly address the claim of a romantic relationship with Wade, an accusation brought forward by Mike Roman, a co-defendant in the Trump case and a high-ranking campaign aide during the 2020 election.
Instead, Willis repeatedly referred to herself as a “flawed” and “imperfect” public servant, drawing parallels to Martin Luther King Jr.’s imperfections as he pursued public service to change the world.
While not fully confronting the allegations, Willis seemed to acknowledge some aspects of the claims made by Roman. Notably, he asserted that Wade used funds earned as a special prosecutor—his firm receiving over $650,000 from the district attorney’s office since November 2021—to finance extravagant vacations with Willis. In response, Willis pointedly mentioned her attire, indicating that she had donned her most “lavish” outfit for the occasion—a $29.99 black dress from the discount retailer Ross.
Emphasizing her authority as district attorney, Willis asserted her right to appoint a special prosecutor and highlighted that she had hired three outside attorneys, including Wade, to work on the election interference case.
She also hired John Floyd, an expert on racketeering laws, and Anna Cross, a former prosecutor. Willis questioned why critics were singling out Wade and suggested a potential racial bias, given that Cross and Floyd are White.
“I am a little confused. I appointed three special counsels, which is my right to do. Paid them all the same hourly rate. They only attack one,” Willis stated, addressing her critics. She questioned why her diverse legal team wasn’t receiving similar scrutiny, expressing surprise that critics were surprised by the accomplishments of such a team.
Despite the controversy, Willis acknowledged the personal toll the allegations have taken on her. She described the past several days as a “low point” in her tenure, mentioning threats, including racially motivated attacks, tied to her handling of the Trump case and other high-profile indictments.
Willis spoke of the unexpected “loneliness” and ugliness that came with her role, criticizing her critics, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, a reference to the Republican congresswoman who had been vocal in condemning Willis.
The filing from Roman last week lacked evidence supporting the allegations. Ashleigh Merchant, Roman’s defense attorney, revealed that the claims were based on undisclosed sources and records from Wade’s ongoing divorce proceedings. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee planned a hearing to address the allegations, pending Willis’s response, which was expected in a court filing.
