Embattled prosecutor Fani Willis just took another hit to her credibility as a Georgia judge slammed her with a hefty fine for breaking state law in her controversial case against Donald Trump.
At a glance:
• Fulton County DA Fani Willis ordered to pay over $54,000 for violating Georgia’s Open Records Act
• Willis failed to provide documents requested by defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant who represents Michael Roman, a Trump co-defendant
• Judge described Willis’ office as “openly hostile” to document requests, showing a “lack of good faith”
• Willis was previously disqualified from the Trump case due to an “appearance of impropriety” related to her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade
• Willis has 30 days to provide the requested records and pay the attorney fees
Court Hammers Willis With Massive Fine
A Georgia judge has slapped Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis with a $54,000 penalty for violating the state’s Open Records Act. The ruling comes as the latest blow to Willis, who has been aggressively pursuing Donald Trump and several co-defendants in her controversial election interference case.
The violation stems from Willis’ failure to provide records requested by defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who represents Michael Roman in the Trump election case. Roman was indicted alongside President Trump in a case brought by Willis in 2023, which remains unresolved amid mounting legal troubles for the prosecutor herself.
The court found Willis’ office to be “openly hostile” to Merchant’s legitimate document requests, indicating what the judge called a “lack of good faith” in following transparency laws. Willis now has 30 days to both provide all the requested records and pay the substantial attorney fees ordered by the court.
And if she was openly hostile, what does that tell you about her professionalism? We always knew her attacks against Trump were illegitimate.
Defense Attorney Celebrates Accountability Victory
Ashleigh Merchant, who has been at the forefront of challenging Willis’ conduct in the case, celebrated the court’s decision. “Proud that we have judges willing to hold people in power accountable when they ignore the law!!!” Merchant wrote after securing the victory against the district attorney’s office.
Merchant’s legal maneuvering has proven effective against Willis, as she was also responsible for revealing the improper relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade. That revelation led to Willis being disqualified from prosecuting the case against Trump and 18 co-defendants due to an “appearance of impropriety.”
Willis’ office had previously accused Merchant Law Firm of trying to “undermine” the prosecution with document requests. However, the court clearly rejected that characterization by finding Willis in violation of state transparency laws and ordering the significant financial penalty.
Willis Fighting Battles On Multiple Fronts
Willis has appealed her disqualification from the Trump case, arguing that no Georgia court “has ever disqualified a district attorney for the mere appearance of impropriety without the existence of an actual conflict of interest.” Her legal position continues to deteriorate as she faces scrutiny on multiple fronts.
The Georgia Senate has further complicated matters for Willis by passing a bill allowing Trump and his co-defendants to seek reimbursement for legal expenses. The legislation would apply if a district attorney is disqualified due to misconduct and the case is dismissed, potentially creating additional financial exposure for Fulton County.
With the Open Records Act violation now officially on the record, Willis faces mounting challenges to her credibility as a prosecutor.
It was a matter of time!
