Legal onlookers were stupefied on Friday as the ongoing ethics hearing into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the prosecutor bringing the election racketeering case against former President Donald Trump in Georgia, was sidelined by a sexual assault allegation.
Specifically, Terrence Bradley, an associate of Willis' embattled special prosecutor Nathan Wade, was accused during cross-examination, with attorneys asking a witness whether they had ever witnessed him committing assault. This came during a line of questioning about why Bradley, who is allegedly privy to text messages that could establish when Willis and Wade became romantically involved, had exited his law firm.
"This hearing is nuts," former federal organized crime prosecutor Elizabeth de la Vega commented on the proceedings, which had gone far afield from the original subject matter.
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The hearing stems from revelations, first made by an attorney representing Trump co-defendant Michael Roman, that Willis was in a romantic relationship with Wade, who despite working as a judge and defense attorney had little experience as a prosecutor and appeared to be paid more than other people working in Willis' office. This in and of itself would not be grounds to throw out the case, or even to disqualify Willis and Wade, as the two are on the same legal team and don't have an inherent conflict of interest — but Trump allies are pushing a narrative that they engineered the case as a way to grift state resources to pay for their affair.
The two have admitted to a prior relationship, and to taking trips together as detailed by financial filings in Wade's divorce proceedings, but say that it began after their professional relationship started. Willis has indignantly defended herself in the proceedings, complaining there is a double standard about the amount of scrutiny being cast at her personal life when she isn't the one on trial.
Steve Sadow, an attorney representing Trump, is alleging that Wade committed perjury and that their relationship began earlier than they are claiming.
