Home Back

Georgia Senate special committee holding third hearing on investigation of Fulton DA Fani Willis

11alive.com 2024/5/17
Fulton County DA Fani Willis arrives during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, March, 1, 2024.(AP Photo/Alex Slitz, Pool)

The hearing is related to potential conflicts of interest and misuse of public funds.

ATLANTA — A third Georgia Senate hearing takes place on Friday for a special committee's investigation of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. 

The hearing is related to accusations of potential conflicts of interest and misuse of public funds. This meeting is to inform the committee to "enact new or amend existing laws and/or change state appropriations to restore public confidence in the criminal justice system." 

Among those expected to offer testimony are Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts and Fulton County CFO Sharon Whitmore.

The previous hearing before the special committee, in early March, featured testimony from attorney Ashleigh Merchant.

Senators are expected to meet at 10 a.m. at the Georgia Capitol. 11ALive will stream the conference in the video player above and bellow. Check back for more. 

Fulton County DA Fani Willis arrives during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, March, 1, 2024.(AP Photo/Alex Slitz, Pool)

The Senate committee lacks the power to sanction Willis, but the senators can subpoena evidence and witnesses such as Pitts, Whitmore and Merchant. They also have the rare power to require that testimony be given under oath. 

The committee could produce a report at the end of its investigation that features proposed changes to state law or budgeting to the DA's Office.

Merchant is the attorney for Michael Roman, one of the 19 codefendants originally indicted in the case along with former President Donald Trump. She brought the motion in January to disqualify Willis, alleging the relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade that became the focus of extraordinary side proceedings in the Trump case.

Judge Scott McAfee ultimately determined Willis could remain on the case, but as part of his ruling Wade had to resign.

These are the Senators who are serving on the committee investigating Willis:

  • Chairman Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) 
  • Vice Chairman Greg Dolezal, (R-Cumming)
  • Jason Esteves, (D-Atlanta)
  • John F. Kennedy, (R-Macon)
  • Blake Tillery, (R-Vidalia)
  • Harold Jones II, (D-Augusta)
  • Bo Hatchett, (R-Cornelia)
  • Steve Gooch, (R-Dahlonega)
  • Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain)

News happens fast. Stream it faster with our re-designed 11Alive+ app.

Watch newscasts, breaking news streams and get the latest sports, weather and VERIFY content -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Available on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TVText "plus" to 404-885-7600 to download 11Alive+ and stream now.

News happens fast. Download our 11Alive News app for all the latest breaking updates, and sign up for our Speed Feed newsletter to get a rundown of the latest headlines across north Georgia. 

People are also reading