As DA, Willis has full authority to hire outside attorneys and pay them generously. The problem arises only if she received personal (corrupt) benefits from her decision. That’s what makes Thursday’s testimony such a problem for Willis, regardless of when she began the affair. After Wade began work for her, the two went on expensive trips together and cannot prove they split the costs. The question whether Willis acted corruptly is underscored by her decision to hire an attorney who spent his career dealing with small cases.
Most of the damaging information that came out Thursday stems from a
nasty, ongoing divorce case between Nathan Wade and his wife of
twenty-six years, Joycelyn. When Nathan began his romantic relationship
with Fani Willis, he was separated but still married. That’s how
Joycelyn managed to get hold of the credit card statements showing the
expenses for Nathan and Fani’s jaunts together. Joycelyn has said she
was nearly penniless while Nathan was spending lavishly and hiding their
joint income.
