NEW: Fani Willis Suffers Legal Setback Over Costs Of Anti-Trump Lawfare

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis suffered a legal setback on Wednesday when a judge ruled against Willis and her office cannot participate in ongoing proceedings regarding reimbursement of attorney fees sought by former defendants in the dismissed racketeering case brought against President Trump and a number his allies in the Peach State. The controversial case was ultimately tossed due to misconduct allegations against Willis and her colleagues.

The former defendants, including President Donald Trump and 13 others, are seeking a total of approximately $16.85 million in attorney’s fees and costs. Trump individually requested more than $6.2 million.

The claims are filed under a Georgia law enacted in 2025, which permits defendants to recover legal expenses when a prosecutor is disqualified from a case and the prosecution is later dismissed. The defendants argue that Willis’ removal and the subsequent dismissal qualify them for reimbursement, potentially from Fulton County resources.

Willis’ office had moved to intervene in the fee dispute, seeking to challenge or block the payments. She contended that the new law should not apply, questioned the validity of some claimed expenses, and argued aspects of the statute were unconstitutional or inapplicable.

On Wednesday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee denied Willis’ motion, stating that because Willis and her office were “wholly disqualified” due to a conflict of interest, they could not re-enter the proceedings to defend prior decisions or oppose the reimbursements. The judge did, however, allow Fulton County government employees to intervene on behalf of taxpayers.

McAfee’s decision represents a procedural setback for Willis in the post-dismissal phase but does not yet determine whether payments will be ordered or in what amount. The matter remains under litigation, with potential for appeals.

Fulton County DA Fani Willis

Willis’ office previously brought a criminal case against Trump and 18 co-defendants on racketeering charges, stemming from the president’s challenges to the results of the 2020 election.

The case faced significant delays following allegations that Willis had a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she appointed. Wade was also paid exuberant sums for his work on the case, while the two took several vacations together.

Defense motions argued this created a conflict of interest and potential financial benefit to Willis

In December 2024, Willis and her entire office were disqualified from the case by the Georgia Court of Appeals. Willis attempted to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court, though her request was denied this past September, officially disqualifying her from the case.

Following Willis’s disqualification, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council appointed Pete Skandalakis as replacement prosecutor. The case stalled amid reported staffing and resource challenges, leading to its complete dismissal last month.

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