Georgia’s state Senate is forming a committee tasked with investigating anti-Trump DA Fani Willis. The investigative body, which will have six Republicans and three Democrats, has full subpoena power and the ability to require testimony given under oath.
By a 30-19 vote, the GOP-led upper house of Georgia’s General Assembly greenlighted the special committee’s creation Friday, passing a resolution (S.R. 465) proposed by Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal, who serves as the Senate’s chief deputy whip.
SR 465 would create the Senate Special Committee on Investigations. #gapol #gasenate
— Senate Press Office (@GASenatePress) January 26, 2024
According to the five-page legislation‘s Jan. 22 filing, “it has come to the attention of the Georgia Senate, through public reports and court filings,” that the Fulton County district attorney is accused of prosecutorial misconduct involving the “expenditure of significant public funds” to hire special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom Willis allegedly had—and may still have—an affair with.
If the affair allegations are proven to be true, the “clandestine” relationship would constitute “a clear conflict of interest and a fraud upon the taxpayers of Fulton County and the State of Georgia,” the bill says, and establish grounds for the DA’s recusal from the prosecution, “potentially delaying it indefinitely.” Willis would also be subject to discipline by the State Bar of Georgia.
BREAKING: The Georgia State Senate will authorize a Special Committee to investigate Fani Willis for criminal misconduct & corruption
— George (@BehizyTweets) January 22, 2024
The Days of Fatty Willis are OVER pic.twitter.com/WKYIdyl7It
A select group of state senators will assemble, acting as a special committee, to conduct a legislative investigation examining Willis’s actions. The nine-person panel possesses the statutory powers to call on any individual to testify under oath, take the depositions of witnesses, compel the production of evidentiary records, and issue subpoenas. Accordingly, the investigating committee is authorized to undertake actions deemed necessary to “enforce such subpoenas” when parties refuse to obey.
However, the committee—slated to convene as soon as this week—can’t directly sanction Willis on any discoveries, WTVC reported. Should the panel find Willis guilty of wrongdoing, its members can recommend changes to the state law or budget.
By Mia Cathell
