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ATLANTA – Lawyers for former President Donald Trump and seven of his co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case are seeking a review of a Georgia judge’s decision. do not disqualify Fani Willis, Fulton County District Attorney.
The request was filed Monday after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said Friday morning that Willis would be allowed to remain in the extortion case filed against Trump if Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor he appointed to the case, resigned. Wade resigned that afternoon.
Lawyers for Trump and his co-defendants had accused both Willis and Wade of misconduct and alleged that Willis was benefiting financially from a romantic relationship she had with Wade after the two took vacations together while working on the case. . McAfee found no conflict of interest, but said Willis and his or Wade’s office had to step aside because of the “appearance of wrongdoing.”
In Monday’s filing, Trump and his co-defendants argued that Wade’s resignation “is insufficient to cure the appearance of wrongdoing that the Court has determined to exist” and said the matter should be decided by the state Court of Appeals. .
Trump attorney Steve Sadow said in a statement Monday that McAfee’s ruling is “ready for pretrial appellate review,” noting that McAfee “found that Willis’ actions created an appearance of impropriety and a ‘smell of mendacity’ that lingers in this case,” but there was “nevertheless refused to dismiss the case or disqualify her.”
The defendants do not have the ability to directly appeal McAfee’s decision at this stage, so they have asked him to approve a “immediate review certificate“That would take the matter to an appeals court.
If the appeals court reviews the matter, couIdldrive to a pauyesmy of the general procedure in the case of electoral interference.
McAfee has not yet set a trial date. Willis’ office had asked to start the case in early August.
Trump and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which allege they conspired to illegally overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Blayne Alexander and Charlie Gile reported from Atlanta and Dareh Gregorian from New York.
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