When Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis spoke at a historically Black church in Atlanta last Sunday, she gave a full-throated defense of Nathan Wade, a private lawyer whom she appointed to lead her 2020 election interference case against former President Donald Trump – and with whom she's accused of having an affair.
She lauded him as "a superstar" with "impeccable credentials" who is uniquely qualified to handle the complex prosecution, leaving unsaid that Wade was at best her third choice for the high-stakes job. Willis, unable to find someone in the DA's office with the stature and credentials needed for the case, turned to at least two other legal heavy hitters in Atlanta before settling on Wade, as set out in "Find Me the Votes," a new book about the investigation into the alleged conspiracy to subvert the 2020 election.
- Who is Fani Willis?
Fani Willis, the Fulton County, Georgia prosecutor, has been making headlines as she investigates the 2020 election and its potential ties to former President Donald Trump. Willis initially approached prominent lawyer Roy Barnes and former federal prosecutor Gabe Banks to serve as senior counsel on the case, but both declined due to concerns about the time commitment and potential threats associated with such a politically charged case.
Undeterred, Willis turned to Nathan Wade, a friend and mentor, who she believed had the toughness to handle the aggressive legal tactics that Trump's lawyers were likely to employ. Wade's involvement in the case has generated considerable interest and speculation about the potential outcomes.
Who is Nathan Wade?
Nathan Wade is a trusted friend and mentor of Fani Willis, the prosecutor leading the investigation into the 2020 election in Fulton County, Georgia. Willis turned to Wade after prominent lawyers Roy Barnes and Gabe Banks declined to take on the case due to concerns about the time commitment and potential threats. Wade's involvement in the case has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about the legal battle ahead.
- Georgia indicts Trump, 18 allies on RICO charges in election interference case. Here are the details.
A source close to the case revealed that Wade, despite not being the lead courtroom lawyer, has played a crucial role in organizing the investigation, managing the grand jury process, and negotiating immunity deals. While he is often present in the courtroom, sporting stylish attire with colorful pocket squares and occasional ascots, he generally allows deputies to handle the courtroom arguments.
In a recent court filing, Willis was accused of engaging in an affair with Wade and enjoying luxurious vacations allegedly funded by taxpayers. This accusation has shed light on Willis' decision to hire Wade and raised concerns about potential personal bias influencing her choice. It has also led to questions about Wade's competence as a lawyer and whether he was adequately prepared for one of the nation's most high-profile legal cases.
A bombshell legal motion has thrown the Georgia case into turmoil, with allegations of an "improper, clandestine personal relationship" between prosecutor Fani Willis and former Trump campaign director Michael Roman. The motion claims that Willis paid Roman over $650,000 to work on the case and that some of that money was used for lavish trips they took together. While there is no concrete proof of these allegations and Willis has not yet addressed them directly, they threaten to upend the case and increase scrutiny of prosecutor Nathan Wade's role.
Who is Nathan Wade?
Wade's credentials as a lawyer in Georgia are questionable when it comes to criminal law. He has little experience with complex felony cases, especially multi-defendant racketeering prosecutions like the one he is currently handling. His previous criminal work mainly involved minor misdemeanor and traffic cases that often resulted in plea deals. However, Wade has a strong reputation in civil litigation, contract law, and family disputes.
There is one group of Atlantans who have witnessed Wade's legal abilities extensively: the members of the Fulton County Special Purpose Grand Jury. After more than six months of running the grand jury process for Willis, Wade guided the jurors through countless hours of testimony, numerous documents, and complex legal and evidentiary issues.
Interviews conducted with some of the grand jurors reveal their admiration for Wade's skills. One member of the panel, who happened to be the only lawyer among them, described Wade to CBS News as "in command" and "highly skilled." The source, who preferred to remain anonymous when discussing the proceedings inside the grand jury room, praised Wade for his adeptness in front of the jurors.
The grand juror stated, "He had a lightness of tone when appropriate and was very serious when the situation demanded it."
According to the source, Wade was also exceptionally well-prepared. This was evident on multiple occasions when dealing with uncooperative witnesses. One witness of critical importance for the grand jury was Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffesnperger, who received a call from Trump on January 2, 2020, pressuring him to "find" the 11,780 votes necessary to overturn the election.
During the questioning, Raffensperger evaded answering the deputy foreperson's question about feeling threatened by Trump's statement regarding potential criminal offense. Wade, however, swiftly intervened by grabbing a copy of Raffensperger's book, which detailed the infamous phone call with Trump. Wade proceeded to read aloud a passage that stated, "Now President Trump is using the power of his position to threaten... me with prosecution if we don't do what he tells us to do." Raffensperger confirmed that he had indeed written those words and stood by them.
An accusation against Willis suggests that she displayed favoritism towards Wade at the expense of her constituents' interests and the administration of justice. However, there is evidence indicating that Wade faced the same strict standards and consequences as the rest of Willis' team.
"Find Me the Votes" recounts a scene from February 2023 when Willis demanded a presentation of evidence from her prosecutors. Wade and his deputies presented a PowerPoint detailing the charges they were considering against Trump and his alleged co-conspirators. Willis expressed her disappointment and unleashed a string of profanities, stating, "No, y'all aren't even close. This is f****** terrible. Get the f*** out of here." She then abruptly left the office, leaving Wade and his team shaken.
Despite criticism, Willis defended her decision to hire Wade and suggested that those who opposed it may have been motivated by race.
"I appointed three special counsels, as is my right to do. Paid them all the same hourly rate," Ms. Willis said. "They only attacked one."
Willis went on to openly accuse her detractors of racism, of attacking "this lawyer of impeccable credentials."
She ran through the resume of "the Black man I chose," noting he has served as a judge, private attorney, prosecutor, criminal defense lawyer and special attorney general. Willis wondered aloud, "I'm just asking God, is it that some will never see Black man as qualified, no matter his achievements? What more can one achieve?"
