Special prosecutor Nathan Wade is stepping down from the prosecution of former President Donald Trump in Georgia after a judge conditioned Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ participation in the case on his departure.
Mr. Wade had dated Ms. Willis while working on the case and receiving taxpayer money. The situation sparked accusations of a financial conflict, prompting Judge Scott McAfee to rule that either Ms. Willis could step aside or Mr. Wade had to leave the prosecution team.
“Although the court found that ‘the defendants failed to meet their burden of proving that the District Attorney acquired an actual conflict of interest,’ I am offering my resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and move this case forward as quickly as possible,” Mr. Wade said in a resignation letter.
Mr. Wade said he was proud of his work on the case, which accuses Mr. Trump and 18 co-defendants of violating state racketeering laws with a plot to overturn President Biden’s 2020 election win in Georgia.
Mr. Wade said the case remains in “good hands” moving forward.
He had little choice but to step aside after Judge McAfee’s ruling earlier in the day.
SEE ALSO: Trump will keep fighting Georgia case after Willis-Wade decision, lawyer says
In her acceptance letter, Ms. Willis said Mr. Wade is an “outstanding advocate” and praised him as “brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation.”
Mr. Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, says the charges are part of a Democratic plot to mar his campaign.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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