ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate approved legislation Friday to create their own committee to investigate Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
The state Senate voted 30-19 on the resolution to investigate Willis for alleged misconduct related to the 2020 election interference case against former President Donald Trump and 14 others.
Willis is accused of engaging in an improper romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade and misusing taxpayer funds. Records submitted in Wade's ongoing divorce proceedings in Cobb County allege that he purchased airline tickets for Willis to San Francisco and Miami, among other items. Wade also paid for hotels and cruises around the same time, but it's unclear if Willis was with him.
Unsealed court records reviewed by 11Alive earlier this week did not show further evidence of an alleged romance between Wade and Willis.
The newly-created panel lacks the ability to sanction Willis. However, the committee can call witnesses under oath and collect evidence as part of its investigation. The committee could produce a report at the end of its investigation that features proposed changes to state law or budgeting.
The panel will feature six Republicans and three Democrats. The Georgia House does not have to approve the measure, and the governor does not have to sign it.
Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal introduced the legislation earlier this week in response to the allegations against Willis.
"The multitude of accusations surrounding Ms. Willis, spanning from allegations of prosecutorial misconduct to questions about the use of public funds and accusations of an unprofessional relationship, underscores the urgency for a thorough and impartial examination. We owe it to the public to ensure transparency, accountability and the preservation of the integrity of our justice system," Dolezal said in a statement earlier this week.
All 19 no votes came from members of the Democratic Party.
"All we've heard is allegations," said Sen. David Lucas (D-Macon). "And most of it comes from an ex-wife who mad and wants to get some money."
Several court hearings have been scheduled related to the misconduct allegations. A Cobb County judge set a Jan. 31 hearing in the Wade divorce case, and Wade may be called to testify under oath.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, who is overseeing the election case, set a Feb. 15 hearing on a motion filed by Trump codefendant Mike Roman to dismiss the indictment and disqualify Wade, Willis, and the Fulton County DA's Office. Trump joined the motion Thursday.
The romance and misconduct allegations first surfaced earlier this month in a court filing from Ashleigh Merchant, Roman's attorney.
"The district attorney and the special prosecutor have been engaged in an improper, clandestine personal relationship during the pendency of this case, which has resulted in the special prosecutor, and, in turn, the district attorney, profiting significantly from this prosecution at the expense of the taxpayers," a portion of the motion reads. "Accordingly, the district attorney and the special prosecutor have violated laws regulating the use of public monies, suffer from irreparable conflicts of interest, and have violated their oaths of office under the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct and should be disqualified from prosecuting this matter."
In comments last weekend at an Atlanta church, Willis said much of the scrutiny she’s faced after Wade’s appointment is unfair and racially motivated. She defended Wade without mentioning his name.
“They only questioned one. Isn’t it them playing the race card when they constantly think I need someone from some other jurisdiction to tell me how to do a job I’ve been doing for 30 years," Willis said.
The investigative committee is not the only action state legislators are seeking against Willis. Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) filed a House resolution Thursday requesting the body vote on impeachment charges against Willis. Byrd is the legislation's only sponsor.
A trial date for Trump and 14 others has not been set.