In a recent development in the 2020 Georgia election conspiracy case, Mike Roman, one of the 19 co-defendants associated with former President Donald Trump, has urged the court to dismiss Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis's plea to cancel the evidentiary hearing concerning her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
Roman, who last month exposed the undisclosed relationship between Willis and Wade, submitted a response to the Superior Court in Fulton County, Georgia. His submission contends that the defendant should have the right to cross-examine Wade, accusing Willis and Wade of attempting to evade responsibility for creating a conflict of interest in the case.
The court document asserts, "If Mr. Roman had not uncovered the now-admitted personal relationship between Willis and Wade, no one may have ever known about it. That raises the obvious and important question: If they had nothing to hide in the first place because they did nothing wrong, then why did they intentionally not tell anyone about it until they got caught with their hand in the cookie jar?"
Roman further argues that the court cannot simply accept their word. He states, "They now attempt to escape accountability by asking this Court to deny Mr. Roman the right to cross-examine and test their assertions at an evidentiary hearing, going so far as to submit an affidavit from Wade that is inadmissible and violative of the Confrontation Clauses of both the United States and Georgia Constitutions."
Roman emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating, "This is not a summary judgment motion. Peoples' freedom and lives are at stake."
Roman's submission includes several reasons why a hearing is essential to the case, citing Wade's affidavit as grounds for necessary cross-examination. He suggests questions that could be asked of Wade, including queries about the nature of his relationship with Willis and their shared accommodations.
Roman also points out that witnesses will testify on allegations that Wade cohabitated with Willis at her South Fulton home and a taxpayer-funded AirBNB in Hapeville. He challenges Wade's reluctance to testify about his professional experience, stating, "If his experience is so significant, then he should welcome the opportunity to testify as to the specifics of the cases he has tried and enjoy the candid transparency that would bring to the process instead of hiding behind an unsubstantiated claim that he has 'tried complex' matters including murder, rape, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and drug trafficking."
Roman further requests a hearing, alleging that the District Attorney's Office has not been entirely 'candid and transparent.' He claims that the State has failed to provide a contract he has repeatedly requested, raising questions about the transparency of Wade and Willis.
Roman also mentions his unsuccessful attempts to obtain invoices from the District Attorney's Office, which were only made available to him as an exhibit to the State's response. He argues that these issues highlight the need for an evidentiary hearing.
Roman emphasizes the criminal nature of the case, stating, "This is a criminal case, not a civil case. It cannot be decided on ex parte, self-serving affidavits." He asserts that some of the individuals he has subpoenaed have personal knowledge that the relationship between Wade and Willis began before Wade's appointment as a special prosecutor, contradicting the claims made by Willis and Wade.
Roman concludes by asserting his right to cross-examine the State's witnesses, including Willis and Wade, on these material facts, which are central to the issue of their potential disqualification.
District Attorney Fani Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade have been subpoenaed to testify at a hearing on February 15. The hearing will consider arguments on why Willis and Wade should be disqualified from the Trump Georgia 2020 election case due to their romantic relationship and financial ties.
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