In a significant development in the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump, a judge has ordered the unsealing of court records related to the divorce proceedings of special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The decision comes amidst calls for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to step down from the case.
Cobb County Superior Court Judge Henry Thompson ruled on Monday that the previous order sealing the divorce records was not properly entered, as a hearing was required but not held. Attorney Ashleigh Merchant, representing former Trump campaign staffer Michael Roman, had requested the unsealing of the records.
During the hearing, Judge Thompson also announced that Willis’ deposition, originally scheduled for Tuesday, would be delayed. The judge expressed the need to hear from Nathan Wade regarding allegations of an extramarital affair before deciding on Willis’ deposition. An evidentiary hearing in the divorce case is set for January 31, where Wade will have the opportunity to address the allegations.
The defense attorney in the election case had filed a motion last week alleging that Willis was involved in a romantic relationship with Wade. The filing claimed that a subpoena served to Willis by Wade’s wife was an attempt to harass and damage the district attorney’s professional reputation.
Willis’ lawyer sought to quash the subpoena, arguing that it was obstructing and interfering with the ongoing criminal case. Meanwhile, Wade’s wife’s lawyer stated that their intention was to help her “resolve her divorce fairly and privately.”
Additional details emerged in the court filings, including credit card statements showing that Wade had purchased plane tickets for both himself and Willis for various trips. These trips included destinations such as San Francisco, Napa Valley, Florida, Belize, Panama, and Australia. The filings suggest that these travels were indicative of a romantic relationship between Wade and Willis.
The Georgia election interference case has gained significant attention since former President Trump and 18 allies were indicted on felony charges related to allegedly tampering with the 2020 election in Georgia. Prosecutors have accused them of operating a “criminal enterprise” to overturn Trump’s election loss.
The unsealing of the divorce records and the delay in Willis’ deposition add further complexity to the case. The developments have sparked intense debate and speculation about the potential impact on the proceedings and the involvement of key figures like Trump and Willis.
This article contains reporting from Steve Harrigan and analysis from contributor Charlie Hurt. It also includes contributions from the Associated Press.
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