Categories: Politics

Fani Willis likely to defy Georgia state Senate subpoena ahead of hearing Friday, chairman says

District Attorney Fani Willis is expected to defy a Georgia state senate subpoena for her testimony ahead of a hearing Friday, Fox News Digital has learned.

The Senate Special Committee on Investigations, chaired by Republican state Sen. Bill Cowsert, subpoenaed Willis to compel her testimony related to the committee’s investigation into allegations she misused taxpayer funds. 

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Cowsert said after Willis refused to testify voluntarily, the committee issued a subpoena, adding her legal counsel had indicated to the committee she would not be complying with the subpoena. 

“We think it’s unlikely that she will appear but disappointing that she considers herself above the law,” Cowert said. 

FANI WILLIS FACES NOTHING BUT SETBACKS IN CASE AGAINST TRUMP, THE LATEST PENDING WITH SUPREME COURT

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis arrives to speak after winning the Democratic primary May 21, 2024, in Buckhead, Ga.  (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

If Willis does not appear at Friday’s hearing, the state Senate will seek to compel her attendance through a judicial order that will work its way through the court system the next few weeks. 

“We do have the authority to investigate and to issue subpoenas to compel testimony and the production of documents, and if tested in court, that will be validated,” Cowsert said. 

“She’ll be required to attend, and she’ll be required to produce certain requested documents. It may require a court order for her to obey them, but that’s where we’re headed.” 

FORMER SENATOR LAUNCHES 6-FIGURE AD BLITZ AGAINST FANI WILLIS AHEAD OF GEORGIA ELECTION

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse March 1, 2024, in Atlanta.  (Alex Slitz-Pool/Getty Images)

Friday’s hearing will feature a presentation from David Cook, the former Georgia secretary of the Senate, on the investigative powers of legislative bodies and the ability to subpoena. 

Legislative counsel Stuart Morelli will also testify on the committee’s legal authority to conduct investigations and to subpoena individuals to testify or to produce documents. 

The Republican-led committee was established in January by a resolution that passed by a 30-19 vote.

Willis, who is spearheading the sweeping prosection case against former President Trump, has come under scrutiny after she was accused in February of having an “improper” affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she had hired to help prosecute the case.

FANI WILLIS’ EX-STAFFER TESTIFIES SHE WAS FIRED AFTER BLOWING WHISTLE ON DA’S SPENDING

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis celebrates after winning the Democratic primary May 21, 2024, in Buckhead, Ga.  (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

A decision by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee not to disqualify her from the case is now on appeal, and that hearing is slated for December. 

The Georgia Senate committee has already held several hearings, including one featuring the testimony of a whistleblower who said she was fired after she raised concerns about Willis’ office’s alleged misuse of funds. 

Willis said in May she believes the committee has no authority to subpoena her and told a news reporter she “will not appear to anything that is unlawful.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“I have not broken the law in any way,” Willis told reporters at a press conference in May. “I’m sorry folks get p—ed off that everyone gets treated equally.”

But Cowsert said the committee members are “all extremely confident that we’re acting within the constitutional and legislative authority of the state Senate.”

A representative for Willis did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

The hearing begins Friday at 10 a.m. ET.

Share

Recent Posts

White House says Biden believes he made right decision to drop out of 2024 race despite Trump victory

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden believed he made the right decision…

26 mins ago

Top Republican privately backing Thune to succeed McConnell in GOP leader race

National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Steve Daines, R-Mont., is privately urging other Senate Republicans…

26 mins ago

Trump-backed PA Senate candidate flips longtime Dem seat red in nail-biter election

Republican Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dave McCormick was declared victorious in his high-stakes election against longtime…

26 mins ago

Trump flips border county that hasn’t voted for Republican in over 100 years with massive 76-point swing

President-elect Trump won a majority Hispanic county in Texas for the first time in over…

26 mins ago

Fox News Politics: Biden congratulates Trump

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest political news from Washington, D.C.…

26 mins ago

A tiny grain of nuclear fuel is pulled from ruined Japanese nuclear plant, in a step toward cleanup

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 7 Fox News Flash top headlines…

2 hours ago