Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is prosecuting the Georgia election interference case involving former President Donald Trump, did not appear at a Georgia state Senate hearing on Friday, despite being subpoenaed.
The Republican-led state Senate committee is investigating Willis over allegations related to her handling of the case. Willis has challenged the legality of the subpoena.
Legal Challenge to Subpoena
Willis, represented by former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, has maintained that she will not testify until the subpoena’s validity is determined by the courts.
Barnes confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Willis will only appear once a judicial ruling is made. Despite her absence, the committee proceeded with its hearing, chaired by Republican State Senator Bill Cowsert.
Cowsert opened the hearing by noting Willis’ defiance of the subpoena, but welcomed her potential appearance later.
The committee has been investigating allegations of misconduct against Willis and has been seeking testimony to explore the matter further.
Background on Trump Election Case
Willis is leading the high-profile case against Trump and 18 co-defendants, alleging efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.
Trump and all co-defendants initially pleaded not guilty, with four later accepting plea deals to testify against others in the case.
The case, based on racketeering charges, is currently paused, pending a court decision on whether Willis can remain as the lead prosecutor.
Committee’s Role and Purpose
The Georgia Senate Special Committee on Investigations, established earlier this year, is not looking to disqualify Willis from the case but is instead investigating concerns about her conduct.
The committee’s focus is on possible reforms to laws and appropriations to restore public trust in the criminal justice system.
Related Developments
In a separate legal matter, Georgia’s Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council declined to pursue charges against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who had been accused of acting as a “fake elector” for Trump in 2020.
The case against Jones was dropped due to a lack of criminal intent, marking another development in the ongoing legal battles connected to the 2020 election.
