Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is facing renewed scrutiny following allegations of unequal pay within her office.
Recent reports suggest that one of her attorneys, Nathan Wade, who has been accused of engaging in an "improper" romantic relationship with Willis, was paid $100 more per hour than another prosecutor, John Floyd, who is considered the state's leading expert on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) cases, as per Fox News.
According to court records, Wade billed the District Attorney's office $250 per hour for his work on the prosecution against former President Donald Trump, focusing on alleged election interference in 2020. Surprisingly, despite Wade lacking experience in state racketeering law, his hourly rate surpassed that of the seasoned prosecutor Floyd, who billed $150 per hour during the same period.
The revelations come amid accusations of a romantic relationship between Willis and Wade, raised in court filings last week by Michael Roman, a former Trump campaign official. In response to the claims, Willis asserted at a local church service that she treated all three special prosecutors equally, defending her right to appoint legal counsel at the same hourly rate.
However, recent disclosures indicate that the third special prosecutor, Anna Cross, was paid $250 per hour in 2022, according to The Daily Caller. Notably, agreements between Fulton County and Floyd post-April 2022 may have been at a higher rate.
Willis faced allegations of racial bias when she accused her detractors of singling out Wade, the only black prosecutor she hired. She argued that questioning only one of her hires based on race was a form of playing the race card, according to New York Post.
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Fani Willis-Nathan Wade Alleged 'Improper' Relationship
The controversy deepened when Roman, the initial accuser, claimed that Wade used money earned from the case to fund luxurious vacations for Willis in Napa Valley and the Caribbean. Although the filing lacked concrete evidence, it alleged that Willis and Wade were romantically involved before awarding the legal services contract.
Wade, who has remained silent on the matter, previously emphasized the importance of avoiding any appearance of impropriety when it came to conflicts of interest in the legal system. However, his current situation, as outlined in Roman's motion, suggests a departure from his earlier stance.
Superior Judge Scott McAfee, overseeing the election interference case, has announced a hearing on the allegations of Willis and Wade's relationship in early February. The case involves Trump and Roman, both of whom have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Willis has not yet directly addressed the more serious accusations contained in the court motion.
The controversy has triggered criticism from various quarters, with some suggesting a potential smear campaign against Willis. Legal experts question the justification of allocating over $600,000 in taxpayer money to an attorney with less relevant experience for such a high-profile prosecution.
As the investigation unfolds, concerns about legal ethics, the use of taxpayer money, and potential conflicts of interest continue to cast a shadow over the Fulton County District Attorney's office, USA Today reported.
