In the movie Friends with Benefits, the character Jamie asks Dylan “why do I get the feeling this is the first real commitment you’ve ever made?” Dylan responds “It’s not. T-Mobile. Two years. And f*** do I regret that one!”
The ongoing proceedings involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and lead prosecutor Nathan Wade seem to be playing out a real-life version of Friends with Benefits, though the benefits may have violated core ethical rules. Now, it appears that Wade may, like Dylan, regret that cellphone plan.
In a new filing in the court, counsel for defendants in the 2020 election case have submitted telephone records indicating that Willis and Wade exchanged over 2,000 phone calls in the first 11 months of 2021.
Those calls, it is alleged, contradict the sworn testimony of both prosecutors on their relationship. They have insisted that they did not become romantically involved until shortly after Wade was hired by Willis in the Trump case. They also downplayed how often they spoke, describing a limited level of contact in 2021.
Investigator Charles Mittelstadt submitted an affidavit discussing over 2,000 voice calls and just under 12,000 text messages from the 11-month period of January to November 2021. That later date is when Wade was hired.
The investigator noted “a prevalence of calls made in the evening hours and suggested that some indicate that Wade had stayed overnight at Willis’s home despite denials on the stand. Challengers are claiming that the records indicate that Wade may have been over to the home as many as 30 times during that period.
In her testimony, Willis was combative, declaring “It’s a lie! It’s a lie!” when asked about a romantic relationship preceding her hiring of Wade. Many in the media praised Willis as showing what a “good lawyer” she is in attacking the media, the defendants, and critics.
If Wade did not stay over, the parties are claiming that his cellphone seemed to:
Specifically, on September 11, 2021, Mr. Wade’s phone left the Doraville area and arrived within the geofence located on the [redacted] address at 10:45 P.M. The phone remained there until September 12 at 3:28 A.M. at which time the phone traveled directly to towers located in East Cobb consistent with his routine pinging at his residence in that area. The phone arrived in East Cobb at approximately 4:05 A.M., and records demonstrate he sent a text at 4:20 A.M. to Ms. Willis.
Additionally, on November 29, 2021, Mr. Wade’s phone was pinging on the East Cobb towers near his residence and, following a call from Ms. Willis at 11:32 P.M., while the call continued, his phone left the East Cobb area just after midnight and arrived within the geofence located on the [redacted] address at 12:43 A.M on November 30, 2021. The phone remained there until 4:55 A.M.
The allegations could not be more serious. Wade and Willis are prosecuting defendants for filing false papers and making false statements to courts. They are now accused of the same conduct, including allegedly lying under oath.
It is important to emphasize that these records have not been fully vetted in court. Cellphone records can be highly interpretive and imprecise on locational tracking. Willis did file a response this week. In addition to objecting that the records “are not properly in evidence” and have not been authenticated, she stated in part:
“The records do not prove, in any way, the content of the communications between Special Prosecutor Wade and District Attorney Willis; they do not prove that Special Prosecutor Wade was ever at any particular location or address; they do not prove that Special Prosecutor Wade and District Attorney Willis were ever in the same place during any of the times listed in Supplemental Exhibit 38.”
If established, this would make this controversy far more serious than disqualification from this case. It could raise concerns over potential criminal conduct. It could also push the court to refer both attorneys to the bar.
Whatever the merits on the relationship, the conduct of Wade and Willis after the allegations are as troubling for many of us. They have put their own interests ahead of those of the case and their office. The first reaction of Willis was to go to a church and paint all of these questions as racist.
In his testimony, Wade appeared to contradict his prior sworn statements in his divorce case when asked, in May 2023, whether he had sexual relations or entertained a member of the opposite sex other than his wife over the course of his marriage, including during their separation. He answered no, but later admitted to a sexual relationship with Willis during that period. Wade simply insisted that he was answering according to his own definition of the marriage and excluded the specific reference to the period of separation up to May 2023.
Willis was more aggressive but may have now created a record that stands rebutted by the telephone records.
In the prior hearings, Willis was applauded on many news sites as she defiantly yelled at opposing counsel “You’re confused. You think I’m on trial. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. I’m not on trial, no matter how hard you put me on trial.”
Unless Wade and Willis can rebut this evidence as false or immaterial, they indeed could very well find themselves on trial.
The first reaction of Willis was to go to a church and paint all of these questions as racist.
God knows the truth. Using the Church to continue the lie, rather than asking God for forgiveness, is a reflection of her true nature.
Amen.
@OLLY Re: ”Using the Church to continue the lie, rather than asking God for forgiveness, is a reflection of her true nature.”…………………..and that of her supporters, for THEY are the true Church….not the building which enfolds them.
This also sounds like jury tampering
This lot, and others of her ilk, such as Corey Bush and Letitia James, as well as certain members of Congress, are satisfied that they have arrived at a moment in the sociopolitical evolution of our nation wherein their moral and ethical indiscretions are tolerated, protected against rebuke by the chainmail of complexion and retorts of racism, thus rendering them invulnerable to consequences. It’s time the citizenry and the law cut the legs out of them. This might yet be Willis’ kryptonite and and a red flag and warning to others of like mind.
Time for the Democrats to resurrect the old, “But everybody lies about sex!” schtick!
I’ll bet it’s coming soon to a talking head near you!
Just goes to show you can have a degree, be a lawyer and still step on your own rakes that you laid out. And continue to lay out and step on.
“Whenever you text, email or correspond by mail, write every word as though it might be printed on the front page of the New York Times.”
That was the legal advice our attorney gave us each year I was council member in program accreditation. No conflicts of interest, not even a hint. No financial disclosures. Joe Friday style. Just the facts.
Why is this not the case here? Isn’t it the duty of an officer of the court to conduct and comport themselves professionally?
We appear to be living in an “Idiocracy.”
Some have written that the judge was once employed by Willis and contributed to her campaign. Is he objective?
Does anyone know the standard for excluding this evidence?
Can the defendants recall Wade to cross examine him about the geolocation data and the contents of the text messages?
How can the defendants gain access to the contents of the text messages? Could the judge review them in camera?
If this is a fair, objective process, it is hard to see how Willis and Wade can remain on the case. And they may have other problems as well, arising from potential perjury.
Daniel: I suspect a good fall-back are the “more prejudicial than probative” rules. I assume Georgia has its own version of this? As to your other two, they might be subject to the answer to number one (exclusion)?
(Note that I label this as a “fall-back” argument, if indeed the falseness or relevance issues go against them)
The geolocation data and the number and timing of calls and text messages would seem to be highly probative of their credibility. The contents of the text messages would be even more so. Recalling Wade to explain all this would also be highly probative.
(sorry, got sidetracked with Sunday morning televised MTP)
yeah, it’s a crossroads issue. Probative as to perjury, but prejudicial as to privacy of a romantic relationship, -only because a romantic relationship is insufficient to justify team’s disqualification from case, as it lacks requisite “conflict of interest” that prejudices defendant (Trump. et al) ?
BUT, bottom line: I think we all agree, perjury Trumps privacy.
Solution: yup, in-camera review and referral to state bar at a minimum, as well as charges for perjury).
(Edwardmahl points out her pecuniary interest in hiring Wade, -also significant, and could reflect a “conflict of interest” in expenditures to her client, the State, –more important than an absence of COI as to defendant Trump et al.)
Wow! How is Prof. Turley able to teach law, discuss law cases on TV, read, watch witness testimony on TV, participate in family activities and still have time to watch crappy movies?
How is it you can’t? There are 112 waking hours (assuming you sleep 8 hours/night) a week. That’s a lot of time if spend productively. Maybe you should examine how you fail to accomplish such things instead of making childish passive-aggressive comments.
J T may be auditioning to become a film critic. He seems to like a lot of mainstream films.
The Michael Roman and Donald Trump lawyers seem to be at least one step ahead of the Willis-Wade team, and appear to be setting them up for the next shoe to drop. Willis bungled it by not resigning from the case early, when she had the chance. But she took a high-stakes risk, which is understandable because a victory in the case would have made her a national celebrity, would have propelled her career to great heights, and would have made her boyfriend a multi-millionaire. Now she’ll have to deal with the very serious consequences.
The depths of so many of these people’s corruption truly is stunning. Lying to the court like this in the 21st century though – that is just plain stupid. The best and brightest decidedly do not hold positions of authority in the leftist cabal, Biden’s entire administration and its allies are a dumpster fire. If nothing else, I’m glad it’s at least out in the open more and more. Thanks for this, Professor Turley.
What seen we weave. This judge ne
For accuracy they could also look at his phone using her home WiFi signal?
Thank you, Professor Turley… for opening yet another major door and a few more windows which expose the basic criminality of these ‘officers of the Court…’ who think it is OK to weaponize the Law against their political opponents.. ‘what goes around comes around…’
Wade didn’t strike me as a confident attorney sitting on the witness stand. If Wade was smart he’d make a deal and go Valachi quick before he loses everything.
The Fanny has found its Sling.
I agree with our Host.
The two ‘Officers of the Court’ actions after suit was filed against them have proven them unfit to lead the RICO prosecution against Trump. The Judge will most likely have the hearing this week and then issue a ruling later. Hoping dragging things out will give Willis and Wade time to bend to public opinion and resign from the case.
Willis/Wade the good left wing radical corrupt Democrats continue to deny, digging themselves deeper and eeper. Perhaps “FANI” will storm back into the court room and scream, yell, etc. Wade will continue to ponder questions like staying in a cabin now wondering if their are videos out there that Trump etc lawyers have. Perhaps Trump etc lawyers do have security videos of Wade slipping in and out of the condo complex?? a good investogator would look into. As somebody mentioned in the comments the DEM’s don’t like it when their legal efforts are turned on them. This is a sick corrupt Soap Opera that will continue, look forward to March 1st hearing. As an aside this Judge is weak he needs to regain control of the court room and be forcefull when Fani starts her screaming etc. PS I do not trust this Judge.
I suspect that the text messages will nail down the nature and timeline of the relationship better than anything else. These must have all been backed up on a cloud somewhere. If there are 1000s of likely intimate texts between these two that took place prior to what they’ve already testified to, this one is already over.
Thank you, Affirmative Action morons.
What does the “gut” of a critical thinker indicate?? That Fani’s phone log “pings” fits Wade’s in an overlay. I can now see and hear Johnnie Cochran, “If it fits convict.”
1) “There is no evidence that disputes our version of the story”
2) “The judge shouldn’t be allowed to see it”
Plenty more examples of the left’s sheer ignorance
1) Voter id is racist because many minorities can’t get valid id
2) we need stricter gun laws and mandatory background checks
1) trump is a racist white supremacist
2) Trump is bff with Netanyahu
1) Trump is a misogynist
2) Trump hired bimbos as press secretaries and deserved to be mocked
The Democrats unleashed lawfare and they will regret it having done that, just as they regret having done away with the filibuster for judgeships. They are irresponsible and these two are in deep trouble.
(EV Hall: re: your comment, “these two are in deep trouble.” –Made me smile because I originally clerked with the DOD and my immediate supervisor was a War veteran. He constantly used the phrase, “he is in deep kimchi” or “they are in deep kimchi.” Not till later did I learn that kimchi is an Asian concoction of food that is buried in the soil (to ferment) before it is eaten!)
Instead of “eating crow” if their testimony turns out to be false, maybe W &W can eat kimci.
The best part is while all of this jive BS is taking center stage, there are real problems in this Country and Criminal RICO Judicial Corruption In PIerce County Wa. where I have demanded two Juries ,paid in full for them both, have the printed receipts with the case numbers printed on them but they just don’t ever provide the jury and just keep stealing the money paid for the jury. Including them already being notified via the motion process 9 days before the proceeding of having no jurisdiction due to it being a Federal matter, well then let that be the reason why that doesn’t even represent so much as a speed bump slowing this Corruption down . I tried to file a complaint with the US Attorney but the assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Larson who just arrived in Seattle from back East for his year long stay, who told me I had a solid Cases/cases who wanted to help me , he was transferred immediately out of Seattle to the S.E. Portion of the U.S.before he could even unpack his suitcase after just arriving here. So of course that qualified me for a visit from the U.S. Marshals telling me that I needed to forget my issues like my innocent s15yr old son being framed for a crime he did not fit the description given victim in age , weight , height or hair color and just because victim provided the prosecutor a blonde hair sample from the real assailant that stuck to his coat, let that be the reason the innocent brown haired juvenile is denied to be allowed to have a hair sample DNA performed because that would blow everything and not be able to use that and my son to try to keep me from focussing on the real issues. So the Marshals tell me I need to forget all of this and drop my cases or they would be real concerned about my health in the future. I suppose that meaning if i was inclined to desire a future and a healthy one at that . And we have on center Stage an old hag that most guys would would refuse to touch for 5 minutes for $500. Ah America The only Country where our President addresses the Nation until he forgets what he is talking about. The average starter home is pushing $450k and $75,000.00 for that pickup is a darn good deal now.