A judge in Georgia has turned down a request from Donald Trump and a fellow defendant’s legal teams to force the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office to release specific documents.
Court Blocks Trump’s Move
Judge Scott McAfee of the Fulton County Superior Court ruled that ‘the items demanded do not exist,’ and the office is currently prosecuting Trump for alleged interference in the 2020 election.
13 Charges Against Trump
Issued on Wednesday, the decision comes as Trump faces 13 charges in Georgia linked to accusations of illegal actions to obstruct Joe Biden’s presidential win in 2020.
Allegations Denied
Trump, who is the leading Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential race, has declared his innocence on all counts, claiming that all accusations are politically driven.
Legal Quest
Trump and Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department official and one of his 18 co-defendants, had been seeking information on communications between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Congressman Bennie Thompson.
Verdict on Trump-Clark Motion
Judge McAfee, addressing the motion by Trump and Clark, stated, “The Court finds it is unable to grand the Defendant’s requested relief as the items demanded do not exist, and that the State has adequately addressed the other concerns raised by defense counsel. The motion is therefore moot.”
Capitol Riot Cited in Case
Trump’s legal team, in their initial January 8 filing, referred to a letter dated December 17, 2021, from Willis to Thompson, the then-chair of the January 6 committee. Thompson led the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot from July 2021 to January 2023.
Seeking Answers
Trump’s legal team sought clarification on whether a response was ever sent. However, it read: “The DA’s office has steadfastly refused to answer yes or no to whether former Chairman Thompson or the Select Committee ever sent a response to DA Willis’ letter. Accordingly, President Trump requests this Court compel the DA’s office to respond yes or no to his request, and if yes, to disclose all responses.”
Co-Defendant Pleads Guilty
Jenna Ellis, once a lawyer for Trump and now a co-defendant in the ongoing Georgia litigation, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to aiding and abetting false statements and writings, as part of a plea agreement.
Multiple Guilty Pleas
Under this deal, she consented to a five-year probation period, 100 hours of community service, a $5,000 fine, and the composition of a public apology letter. Additionally, three other co-defendants of Trump, namely lawyers Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, and bail bondsman Scott Hall, entered guilty pleas under similar plea arrangements.
Legal Action Against DA Willis
Earlier this month, Michael Roman, a former Trump staffer and co-defendant, filed a lawsuit seeking dismissal of his charges. He alleged that District Attorney Willis, who was romantically involved with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor assigned to the case, improperly used part of the $650,000 paid to Wade for vacations with him.
Alleged Misuse of Funds
The lawsuit claims that Willis and Wade, whose political affiliations are unclear, took vacations together in Napa Valley and the Caribbean, with Wade allegedly funding these trips. The lawsuit also notes that Wade was appointed as an external prosecutor for the Georgia election case one day after filing for divorce in November 2021.
Unlikely to Affect Case
Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. Attorney, said that the truthfulness of these allegations is yet to be confirmed and is unlikely to affect Trump and his co-defendants’ legal situation.
Ethical Concerns
McQuade mentioned that any potential ethical breaches by Willis, such as overpaying Wade or not disclosing a personal relationship when required, would be addressed by state or county authorities or the state bar, but they do not constitute grounds for dismissing the RICO case.
Willis Suggests Race Factor
Willis partially responded to the allegations during her Sunday appearance at the Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta, Georgia. While she didn’t provide extensive details or explicitly confirm or refute the claims, Willis appeared to suggest that race was a factor in the recent accusations.
‘A great friend’
She told church attendees, “They only attack one,” explaining, “I hired one white woman: a good personal friend and great lawyer, a superstar, I tell you. I hired one white man: brilliant, my friend, and a great lawyer. And I hired one Black man, another superstar, a great friend, and a great lawyer.”
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