ATLANTA — House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has subpoenaed Fulton County District Fani Willis, demanding documents from her office over allegations that she fired a whistleblower who warned her about an aide attempting to misuse federal funds, NBC reports.
The subpoena is part of a larger investigation by Jordan and congressional Republicans to determine if Willis used federal funds in her probe of former President Donald Trump and allies over attempts to overturn the 2020 election. A Fulton County grand jury indicted Trump and 18 others in August.
Jordan is asking for documents and communications "referring or relating to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office receipt and use of federal funds" and "referring or relating to any allegations of the misuse of federal funds," NBC reports.
The letter came after allegations that Willis fired an employee who said she tried to stop a campaign aide from misusing federal funding meant for youth gang prevention. The allegations were reported by the Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news outlet.
The subpoena comes after Willis did not voluntarily turn over documents following two requests from Jordan and the committee. In a statement, Willis called the whistleblower allegations false.
“These false allegations are included in baseless litigation filed by a holdover employee from the previous administration who was terminated for cause," Willis said. "The courts that have ruled found no merit in these claims. We expect the same result in any pending litigation. Any examination of the records of our grant programs will find that they are highly effective and conducted in cooperation with the Department of Justice and in compliance with all Department of Justice requirements. Our federal grant programs are focused on helping at-risk youth and seeking justice for sexual assault victims who were too long ignored. Our federal grant-funded Sexual Assault Kit Initiative has been cited by the United States Attorney General as a model program. We are proud of our grant programs and our partnership with the Department of Justice that makes Fulton County a safer, more just place.”
A trial data has not been set in the election interference case, but Willis is facing efforts to remove her from the case.
Trump codefendant Mike Roman seeks to disqualify Willis, Wade, and the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, alleging that Willis and Wade are engaged in an improper romantic relationship.
Records submitted in Wade's ongoing divorce proceedings in Cobb County allege that he purchased airline tickets for Willis to San Francisco and Miami, among other items. Wade also paid for hotels and cruises around the same time, but it's unclear if Willis was with him. Roman's team alleges that Willis improperly benefited because Wade used money he made from the election case to pay for the trips.
Willis has a Friday deadline to respond to the motion. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee set a Feb. 15 hearing on disqualification motions.
Of the original 19 people indicted in the Fulton County election RICO case, four have taken deals to plead guilty.