On Monday, a subpoena was issued to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, compelling her presence in the divorce proceedings of her co-prosecutor Nathan Wade and his wife Jocelyn Wade. Confirmation of the subpoena’s receipt was made by a Cobb County process server assigned to Willis’ assistant. The allegations against Willis and Wade involve an alleged extramarital affair, financed by taxpayers’ funds, supporting their opulent lifestyle and extravagant trips.
Michael Roman, Donald Trump’s co-defendant in the Georgia election interference case, claims reliable sources and witnesses can substantiate the romantic involvement between Willis and Wade, despite Wade being married to Jocelyn. These accusations further tarnish the credibility of Willis and Wade in managing the ongoing investigation.
Roman, represented by lawyer Ashleigh Merchant, is seeking the dismissal of his charges and the disqualification of Willis and Wade due to their alleged affair. Wade, during his tenure in Fulton County, amassed earnings exceeding $654,000, charging a $250 hourly rate. His invoices detailed travel expenses to various locations, including meetings with White House counsel, months before indicting Trump on August 14, 2023.
While Roman has not provided documentary evidence in the motion, he asserts that some evidence awaits unsealing of divorce records. Roman’s lawyer emphasizes that concrete evidence will be presented during a hearing, potentially involving members of the prosecution team.
Ashleigh Merchant has appealed to the Cobb County judge to unseal Wade’s divorce records. Roman and Merchant also criticize Willis and Wade for their joint travels to destinations like Napa Valley, Florida, and the Caribbean, questioning the necessity of such trips for work purposes in the context of pending litigation.
Fulton County Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade is alleged to be having an affair with DA Fani Willis.
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 9, 2024
But there's something more damaging-
Wade committed fraud by billing 24 hours for work on 11/5/21.
This violates Ga. Code Ann. § 16-10-20 (false statements). It's a felony. pic.twitter.com/QtYTjG25Kj
Roman’s legal filing contends, “The district attorney and the special prosecutor have violated laws governing the use of public funds, face irreparable conflicts of interest, and have breached their oaths of office as per the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, necessitating their disqualification from prosecuting this matter.”
Prior to becoming Willis’ special prosecutor in the Trump election case, Wade practiced as a private defense attorney. Their professional collaboration commenced in 2019, with Willis mentoring Wade during her tenure as chief magistrate judge for South Fulton. Wade was actively involved when Willis assumed the role of District Attorney, participating in employee interviews.
In a New York Times article, Willis referred to her romantic partner as an “old friend” upon hiring him as special counsel for Trump’s case in November 2021.