Ethics experts say DA Fani Willis does not have any conflicts that warrant her disqualification 

A coalition of 17 ethics experts, former prosecutors, and defense attorneys has voiced support for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, asserting that she does not have any conflicts that warrant her disqualification from the Fulton County election interference case.

The group, which includes notable figures like former federal prosecutor Amy Lee Copeland, former DeKalb DA J. Tom Morgan, and Richard Painter, the top White House ethics lawyer during the George W. Bush administration, filed a “friend of the court” brief urging Fulton Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to dismiss multiple motions alleging improper conduct by Willis.

The coalition emphasized that disqualifying conflicts typically arise when a prosecutor’s previous representation of a defendant provides forbidden access to confidential information or directly impacts fairness and due process.

They argued that such conflicts are not present in this case. Recently, five defendants, led by former Donald Trump campaign official Michael Roman, claimed that Willis has an untenable conflict of interest due to a previously undisclosed romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the outside attorney leading the racketeering probe.

Trump and 14 other defendants are still part of the ongoing case.

Willis acknowledged her personal relationship with Wade but asserted that there was no improper financial benefit.

The ethics experts, without independent knowledge of the relationship, supported Willis, stating that even if the defendants’ allegations were true, they do not warrant her removal because they are irrelevant to the underlying case.

The experts also argued that the defendants failed to provide sufficient evidence for their request to drop criminal charges, asserting that constitutional rights were not violated, and proceedings were not rendered fundamentally unfair.

The coalition defended Willis against criticism regarding her remarks at a historic Black church in Atlanta, stating that her comments were not disqualifying as they were not directed at a particular defendant or focused on guilt.

They suggested addressing any potential impact on the jury pool during the jury selection phase. While expressing there is no merit for disqualification, the group proposed that if McAfee disagrees, Willis should be allowed to resolve the conflict by reimbursing shared expenses with Wade or adjusting his role in the case to ensure the prosecution progresses efficiently.