The Department of Justice discovered alleged “inconsistencies” in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ use of some federal grant money, according to a new report.
Willis has risen to national prominence for leading the Georgia election interference investigation against former President Donald Trump. Her probe focused on his call to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in which he urged him to “find” enough votes to tilt the election in his favor, as well as the alleged plot to submit a false slate of pro-Trump electors to the electoral college.
Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges and has accused Willis of targeting him for political purposes. Since launching the Trump investigation, her conduct has faced heightened scrutiny from conservative critics, including Congressional Republicans who have raised questions about her use of federal funds.
The Justice Department confirmed in a statement first reported by The Washington Free Beacon that some inconsistencies have been found in her use of these funds.
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“During our review of the award to respond to this inquiry, we have noticed some inconsistencies in what Fulton County has reported to [the Federal Subaward Reporting System] and we are working with them to update their reporting accordingly,” a Justice Department spokeswoman told the conservative publication.
Specific details about what inconsistencies were found, what the specific grant was intended for, or what the funds may have been used for remained unconfirmed.
Newsweek reached out to Willis’ office and the DOJ for comment via email.
Willis has previously sparred with Representative Jim Jordan, the Ohio Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, over her office’s use of grant funds.
In February, Jordan and the House Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena to Willis’ office requesting documents relating to her office’s receipt and use of federal funds, threatening to hold her in contempt of Congress if she did not provide further documents by March 28.
In her own letter, Willis responded that her office had “already provided you with substantial information about our programs that are funded via federal grants.”
“Further, as I expressed to you in my letter dated February 23, 2024, this office is in the process of producing relevant documents to you on a rolling basis and is undertaking a good faith approach to provide you with responsive information about our federal grant funding,” the letter added.
Her office also wrote that Jordan’s request of “extensive document demands,” is “unreasonable and uncustomary and would require this government office to divert resources from our primary purpose of prosecuting crime.” She added that Jordan’s efforts “will not derail” Trump’s election interference trial.
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