Fani Willis’ reputation may be affected by her former special prosecutor Nathan Wade facing contempt of court allegations.
In March, Wade resigned from Donald Trump’s Georgia election interference case. Judge Scott McAfee had given Willis the option of removing herself or Wade following a hearing triggered by accusations by former Trump staffer and co-defendant Michael Roman that she was having an affair with Wade. Trump and 18 others are accused in an indictment of trying to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia. He has repeatedly asserted his innocent in the case.
It was alleged that Willis and Wade had benefited financially from taxpayers’ money. They later admitted they had a relationship, but denied a conflict of interest.
Now, Wade’s estranged wife, Jocelyn Wade, has filed contempt of court proceedings against her ex-husband. Nathan Wade filed for divorce from his then wife in November 2021 and the couple reached a temporary agreement in January 2024.
Photo by Alex Slitz-Pool/Getty Images
But according to the filing, submitted on Wednesday, Nathan Wade allegedly violated an agreement to pay for her medical expenses until further order of the court. It said Jocelyn Wade needs $4,400 for “an endoscopy, colonoscopy, and ultrasound, due to severe physical symptoms she has been enduring.”
However, it says Nathan Wade has not paid this and has instead told her to pay the healthcare provider and said he would reimburse her. However, the filing says this is impossible for Jocelyn Wade because she has been paying for her daughter’s rent and living expenses.
It also alleges he has not financially supported his children in the way that he promised, putting further financial pressure on Jocelyn Wade.
While Wade is no longer involved in the case, his association with Willis may affect her reputation.
Newsweek contacted Willis via LinkedIn and Nathan Wade via website form on Thursday, outside of normal hours, to comment on this story.
Meanwhile, Willis is facing further challenges in the case. Trump is appealing a decision to allow Willis to remain on the case after the relationship with Wade was revealed. The Court of Appeals has 45 days to decide whether it will take up the matter.
Last week, Trump’s attorney argued that the case should be dismissed on First Amendment grounds in a court hearing with McAfee, who last month dismissed six charges in the case, ruling that the prosecutors did not provide enough details about the alleged crimes.
If the case continues, Willis has asked that the trial begins in August.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.