Judge Overseeing Trump-Georgia Case Once Donated To Fani Willis' Campaign
Is anything even surprising anymore?
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, who is in charge of the case against former President Donald Trump, donated $150 to Fani Willis’ campaign prior to his appointment as judge.
Appointed by Republican Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia and taking office on February 1, 2023, McAfee, previously an assistant U.S. Attorney, disclosed a donation made in June 2020 while still employed by the DOJ, according to The Daily Caller.
He is now facing the task of determining the disqualification of Willis, accused of profiting from assigning her "world traveler" lover-boy, Nathan Wade, to the Trump case.
McAfee's professional background also includes working with Willis in the Fulton County District Attorney's Office's complex trial division, as reported by the New York Times.
Atlanta criminal defense lawyer and legal commentator Philip Holloway informed the Daily Caller News Foundation that McAfee's contribution was minor yet emphasized it ought to have been revealed to the defendants for assessing any potential conflict of interest with the judge.
He told the Daily Caller: “The donation itself is more or less a token amount and was made prior to his becoming a judge. But failure to disclose to the defendants a political donation to the prosecutor can be seen as a present appearance of a conflict of interest. Judges are required to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.”
The report notes that "the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct states that judges should 'avoid both impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in their professional and personal lives.'"
Recall, Willis exploded in anger on the witness stand last week, accusing defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant of lying about her relationship with Nathan Wade, answering questions with meandering dialogues before being admonished by the judge, and talking herself in circles with an attitude for the better part of an hour.
"Let’s be clear, because you’ve lied," Willis yelled at one point, waving documents around. "It is a lie! It is a lie!"
"You think I’m on trial. I’m not on trial no matter how hard you try to put me on trial," Willis yelled.