Georgia Senate committee pushes for subpoena enforcement in DA Willis probe
The Brief
The Georgia Senate Special Committee on Investigations has been reauthorized to investigate allegations of misconduct involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis, linked to the Georgia election interference case involving former President Donald Trump.
The committee is seeking enforcement of a legislative subpoena against Willis, claiming she has waived objections and failed to prove her privilege claims, with the court previously denying her petition for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief.
Willis has agreed to provide certain documents related to her election interference case, but disputes remain unresolved, and the court has yet to rule on the committee's motion to compel her testimony.
ATLANTA - The Georgia Senate Special Committee on Investigations is asking a Fulton County judge to enforce a legislative subpoena against District Attorney Fani Willis.
In a motion filed last week, attorneys for the state legislative branch argued Willis has waived her objections and failed to prove her claims of privilege.
The backstory
The Georgia Senate Special Committee on Investigations, chaired by state Sen. Bill Cowsert, has been reauthorized this year by Senate Resolution 5 to investigate allegations of misconduct involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis and her former special prosecutor, Nathan Wade.
This investigation has gained significant attention due to its connection to the Georgia election interference case involving former President Donald Trump.
What we know
The committee is urging a Fulton County judge to enforce a legislative subpoena against Willis, arguing that she has waived her objections and failed to substantiate her claims of privilege.
In a recent court filing, attorneys for the committee responded to Willis' arguments regarding her compliance with subpoenas issued by the panel.
Click to open this PDF in a new window.
The Superior Court of Fulton County previously denied Willis' petition for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief in December 2024, and after Willis failed to appeal that ruling, the court directed her to clarify objections she raised to a witness subpoena and a subpoena duces tecum, which seeks documents.
Willis has agreed to produce documents she previously shared with the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and in public filings related to her election interference case against Trump.
Both sides agree this satisfies her current obligation under the subpoena duces tecum but does not resolve future disputes.
What they're saying
The committee contends that Willis' updated response remains deficient. "Petitioner has waived her objections to the Witness Subpoena and this Court should order Petitioner comply with the Witness Subpoena at a time and date designated by the Special Committee," attorneys for the committee wrote.
They also argue that Willis has not proven an attorney-client relationship with Wade, stating both acted as agents of the Fulton County District Attorney's Office rather than in a traditional client-attorney structure. "Petitioner's characterization of the purported attorney-client relationship between herself, the FCDA, and Mr. Wade is inaccurate," the committee's lawyers wrote.
The other side
Willis, represented by former Gov. Roy Barnes and attorney John R. Bartholomew of The Barnes Law Group, has claimed that the committee's subpoenas are now moot. However, the panel reiterated that the court has already rejected that argument, noting the Senate reauthorized the committee in the current session and that such matters are "capable of repetition yet evading review."
Willis' objections based on law enforcement privilege were also dismissed by the committee's attorneys, who argued that the privilege does not apply outside the context of open records law. "Petitioner enjoys no 'Law Enforcement Privilege' against the disclosure of records compelled by a legislative subpoena," the filing asserts.
What's next
The court has not yet ruled on the committee's motion to compel Willis to testify. The legal fight continues to draw national attention due to its ties to the Georgia election interference case and broader scrutiny of Willis' conduct in that prosecution. The committee is represented by attorneys Josh Belinfante and Vincent R. Russo of the Robbins Firm.
SEE ALSO:
Fulton County DA Fani Willis ordered to pay $54K to attorney in Trump case
Georgia's reimbursement bill would allow Trump to recover costs
Fulton County judge rejects DA Willis' Bid to quash Senate committee subpoenas
Georgia Senate committee to reissue subpoena for DA Fani Willis in Trump election probe
Trump's mug shot from Fulton County Jail hangs in White House
The Source
Details for this article come from court documents obtained from the Fulton County Superior Court and previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting.
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