DA Fani Willis Ordered to Pay Up After Violating State Law

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis ordered to pay over $21,000 in legal fees to Judicial Watch for violating Georgia’s Open Records Law.

At a Glance

Georgia judge orders Fani Willis to pay nearly $22,000 in attorney fees to Judicial Watch.
Willis found in default for not providing documents in response to an open records lawsuit.
Court criticizes Willis for violating Open Records Act by delaying search until litigation.
Judicial Watch seeks transparency regarding potential political collusion in Trump investigation.

Willis Ordered to Pay Legal Fees Over Open Records Violation

A Georgia judge has ordered Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to pay $21,578 in legal fees to Judicial Watch for violating the state’s Open Records Law. The ruling came after Willis was found in default for failing to respond properly to requests for records pertaining to her communications with Special Counsel Jack Smith and the January 6 Committee.

The Fulton County Superior Court’s decision underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to open records laws, especially in high-profile cases. Judicial Watch, a conservative watchdog group, had filed a Georgia Open Records Act request seeking Willis’s communications related to the investigation of former President Donald Trump.

“Fani Willis flouted the law, and the court is right to slam her and require, at a minimum, the payment of nearly $22,000 to Judicial Watch,” said Judicial Watch President @TomFitton (2/3). https://t.co/qcVL9VTlfT

— Judicial Watch ⚖️ (@JudicialWatch) January 7, 2025

Court Criticizes Willis’s Handling of Records Request

The court’s ruling highlighted several issues with Willis’s response to the records request. Initially, Willis’s office denied the existence of any responsive records. Later, they admitted to having communications with the January 6 Committee but claimed they were exempt from disclosure.

The court ordered Willis to conduct a thorough search of her records and provide any non-exempt documents to Judicial Watch within five business days. However, Willis’s office reported that no non-public documents were found in response to the court order.

Judicial Watch Seeks Transparency in Trump Investigation

Judicial Watch’s pursuit of these records is part of a broader effort to uncover potential political collaboration in the investigation of former President Trump. The organization has filed several Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuits related to prosecutorial actions against Trump.

“Fani Willis flouted the law, and the court is right to slam her and require, at a minimum, the payment of nearly $22,000 to Judicial Watch” – Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton

Concerns about the thoroughness of Willis’s records search have led Judicial Watch to file a motion for a special master to oversee future searches. The organization argues that this step is necessary to ensure full compliance with open records laws and to uncover the complete truth about Willis’s actions in the Trump investigation.

Implications for Ongoing Trump Case

This ruling comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Willis’s handling of the Trump case in Georgia. The legal fees order adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious investigation. Critics argue that the open records violation raises questions about the transparency and impartiality of the prosecution.

As the case against former President Trump continues to unfold in Fulton County, this ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of procedural integrity and transparency in high-profile legal proceedings. The court’s decision emphasizes that even those tasked with upholding the law must themselves adhere to legal standards and public record requirements.