Court Battles

Prosecutor at center of Fani Willis allegations avoids testimony with temporary divorce agreement

The special prosecutor leading former President Trump’s 2020 election interference case in Georgia reached a temporary agreement in his divorce case Tuesday, avoiding testimony that likely would have asked him to describe an alleged romantic relationship with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D).

court order signed by Cobb County Superior Court Judge Henry Thompson indicated that special prosecutor Nathan Wade “entered into a temporary agreement addressing all issues presently before the court.” Both parties decided that there was no need for Wednesday’s hearing as a result of the agreement, according to the order.

Wade’s divorce entered the spotlight earlier this month after one of the defendants in the Trump case, Michael Roman, accused Wade and Willis of being in an improper romantic relationship that he argued would make the indictment “fatally defective.”

Wade’s next hearing on the divorce case was slated for Wednesday, where lawyers for his wife said they would have questioned him over his finances and conduct. He would have likely faced questions on accusations that he purchased multiple flights for himself and Willis in the months leading up to the indictment of Trump, according to court documents filed by lawyers for Wade’s wife, Jocelyn.

The documents include bank statements that appear to show purchases of flights for him and Willis to San Francisco and Miami. Willis was then subpoenaed in the divorce case, but a judge temporarily paused her deposition until after Wade was questioned.

Without Wade’s testimony on Wednesday, it is likely that Willis will also avoid testifying in the divorce case — which remains ongoing.

The judge overseeing the 2020 election interference case, Judge Scott McAfee, ordered Willis to respond to Roman’s allegations in writing by Friday. Roman’s accusation was part of a motion to disqualify Willis from the case and have it dismissed.

A hearing on Roman’s accusations is scheduled for Feb. 15.

Andrea Dyer Hastings, one of the attorneys representing Wade’s wife, emphasized in a statement that the divorce case is not over yet. She said they are working to “ensure that the couple’s assets are divided properly after more than twenty-six years of marriage.”

“Our aim is to guide our client towards a just and equitable divorce resolution– without political agenda or public scrutiny. We are not connected to, nor concerned with, any other case. Joycelyn Wade’s primary focus remains on her family,” Hastings said.

Lawyers representing Wade declined to comment.

The Hill has reached out to Willis’s office.