Co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case involving ex-President Trump have submitted appeals to the Georgia Court of Appeals, aiming to have Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis removed from the case.
The appeals court announced last week that it will consider the case brought forth by Trump and several co-accused, arguing that Willis should be removed from the case due to an alleged “inappropriate” relationship with special counsel Nathan Wade, whom she appointed.
Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, Cathy Latham, and Michael Roman submitted their appeals on Monday in the case. They joined former Georgia GOP leader David Shafer in initiating the briefing procedures before the court, as reported by WSB-TV.
In March, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Wade must be replaced to prevent Willis from being disqualified in the sweeping racketeering case against Trump.
Trump and several co-defendants claimed that Willis and Wade had a romantic relationship before he was hired, and that she received financial benefits from it. Both Willis and Wade denied these allegations.
Judge McAfee allowed the defense to appeal his decision, and last week, the appeals court announced that they would consider the defense’s argument to still disqualify Willis.
“President Trump looks forward to presenting interlocutory arguments to the Georgia Court of Appeals as to why the case should be dismissed and Fulton County DA Willis should be disqualified for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution,” Trump lawyer Steve Sadow said in a statement.
A court date has not yet been set.
McAfee’s March ruling stated that the defendants “failed to meet their burden of proving that the District Attorney acquired an actual conflict of interest in this case through her personal relationship and recurring travels with her lead prosecutor.”
“However, the established record now highlights a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team — an appearance that must be removed through the State’s selection of one of two options,” he wrote, adding that Willis and her whole office can choose to step aside, or Wade can withdraw from the case.
Wade subsequently resigned from his post as special prosecutor.
Both Wade and Willis denied claims of a romantic relationship before his hiring and of splitting travel expenses. Willis stated she reimbursed Wade in cash for her share of the trips.
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