An Athens lawyer and state senator has been tapped to lead a committee that will investigate Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney who is prosecuting former president Donald Trump.
The Senate Committee on Assignments named Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) chairman and Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming_ vice chairman of the Special Committee on Investigations that will look into allegations of misconduct against Willis.
“I am honored to be chosen to chair this much-needed committee investigating potential misuse of taxpayer dollars for personal gain and unethical behavior by public officials and paid prosecutors,” Cowsert said in a news release.
“There has been a dramatic decrease in public confidence of our criminal justice system. If true, recent allegations related to Fani Willis and Mr. Wade are deeply disturbing. We will independently investigate those claims in a bi-partisan fashion while holding fast to the pursuit of truth. Our charge is not to interfere with ongoing criminal proceedings, to prosecute misconduct or to disqualify any individual prosecutor. Our focus instead will seek to restore public confidence in our criminal justice system.”
Willis has charged Trump and several allies with racketeering related to their efforts to appoint a slate of fake electors from Georgia and overturn the 2020 election results.
One defendant’s attorney has alleged that Willis had a romantic relationship with the case’s lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade, whom her office has paid $650,000 for his work on the case. That has led to calls for Willis to recuse herself or step down.
The Senate committee has subpoena power and can call witnesses to testify under oath, but its job is only to write a report on Willis’ actions. It does not have the power to remove her from the case or from office.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
