Fulton County, Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis, and special prosecutor Nathan Wade have faced intense scrutiny in a high-profile case accusing former President Donald Trump of election interference. The defense claims that Willis and Wade had a romantic relationship, which financially benefited Willis after she hired Wade to help prosecute the case.
As part of the legal proceedings, former law firm partner and divorce attorney Terrance Bradley testified under oath on Tuesday regarding what he knew about the relationship between the two prosecutors.
The testimony was the result of a decision by Judge Scott McAfee, who determined that Bradley could not claim attorney-client privilege and must answer questions about his conversations with Wade. Bradley testified for approximately two hours, but his responses were often evasive or included the phrase “I don’t recall” more than two dozen times. He also admitted to speculating in text messages with fellow attorney Ashleigh Merchant about when the relationship between Willis and Wade began.
Attorney Richard Rice pressed Bradley on whether he had a pattern of lying about his friends in a case of national importance, to which Bradley replied that he could not recall.
This exchange raises questions about the credibility of Bradley’s testimony and calls into question any claims he may have made about the relationship between Willis and Wade in the past. Bradley also acknowledged that he had only discussed the relationship once with his former client, Wade.
Earlier in the legal proceedings, Bradley had refused to answer certain questions, citing attorney-client privilege, but Judge McAfee determined after an in-camera meeting that his testimony was not covered by privilege. This decision led to Tuesday’s testimony, which is likely the last installment of evidentiary hearings before both sides present final arguments on Friday.
The defense team, led by Merchant, is attempting to prove that Willis and Wade were romantically involved prior to Wade’s employment in the DA’s office, which contradicts the prosecutors’ testimony that their relationship began in 2022 after Wade was hired. The defense is also trying to establish a money trail to prove that Willis had a financial interest in hiring Wade and thus has a conflict of interest in the Trump case.
In her own unexpected testimony earlier this month, Willis verbally sparred with lawyers for hours, at one point prompting the judge to threaten to strike her testimony. She also raised eyebrows by appearing to wear her dress backward. However, the prosecution maintains that there is no conflict of interest in this case and that Willis and Wade’s relationship did not start until after Wade was hired.
The defense’s case relies heavily on the testimony of a former “good friend” of Willis and a past employee at the DA’s office, Robin Yeartie, who claims to have witnessed Willis and Wade showing affection prior to their official relationship. However, Willis dismissed Yeartie’s testimony and stated that she no longer considers her a friend.
Judge McAfee has stated that if evidence is produced that demonstrates an actual conflict or the appearance of one, disqualification is possible. The decision on whether Willis and Wade should be disqualified from the Trump case will rest on this evidence, as well as Bradley’s testimony and the final arguments of both sides on Friday. Regardless of the outcome, this case has brought to light issues of ethics and potential conflicts of interest in the legal system.
