All articles tagged with #special prosecutor
The White House announced that President Trump will not recommend a special prosecutor in the Jeffrey Epstein case, dismissing calls for transparency as 'asinine' and deflecting criticism from Democrats and allies alike, amid ongoing controversy and internal dissent within his base.
The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned Jussie Smollett's conviction for allegedly staging a racist and homophobic attack on himself in 2019. Smollett, who was convicted of disorderly conduct in 2021, was accused of paying two men to fake the attack. The court sided with Smollett's attorneys, who argued that he should not have been charged by a special prosecutor after initial charges were dropped in exchange for community service. The decision has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it undermines accountability.
The Illinois Supreme Court overturned Jussie Smollett's conviction, ruling that prosecutors unlawfully refiled charges after agreeing to drop them. Smollett was initially charged with lying about a 2019 attack, but the charges were dropped after he performed community service and forfeited his bond. A special prosecutor later filed new charges, leading to his conviction. The court found this violated the agreement and double jeopardy principles, barring the second prosecution.
Attorney Erlinda Johnson has been added to the prosecution team pursuing an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust." Baldwin has pleaded not guilty, and the trial is scheduled for July. The new special prosecutor's experience includes criminal defense and representing former New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran. Meanwhile, the movie's weapons supervisor, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins's death. Baldwin's defense is seeking to dismiss the indictment, alleging unfair grand jury proceedings, while special prosecutors accuse Baldwin of attempting to evade responsibility.
Former district attorney Pete Skandalakis has been appointed as the special prosecutor to investigate Georgia's lieutenant governor, Burt Jones, for allegedly casting a fake electoral vote for Donald Trump in 2020. The investigation was halted in 2022 after Fani Willis' office was disqualified, but questions have been raised about the handling of the case. Jones has expressed eagerness for a quick resolution, while Willis' office has declined to comment on the matter.
Pete Skandalakis, the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, has appointed himself as the special prosecutor to investigate whether Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones should face criminal charges for his alleged role in seeking to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in the state. Jones, a longtime Trump ally, was one of 16 state Republicans who signed a certificate falsely claiming Trump had won Georgia in 2020. The case was turned over to Skandalakis after a judge disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis due to a conflict of interest. Trump and 18 allies were indicted last August in a criminal racketeering case alleging illegal conspiracy to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss in Georgia.
A special prosecutor has been appointed to determine if Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones should face criminal charges for his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state. This comes after Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was barred from prosecuting Jones due to a conflict of interest. Jones was one of 16 state Republicans who signed a certificate declaring Trump as the winner in Georgia, and he sought a special session of Georgia’s Legislature to overturn Biden’s narrow win. The special prosecutor's appointment follows indictments of Trump and others for illegal attempts to overturn the election, with Jones denying any wrongdoing and welcoming the news of the special prosecutor's appointment.
Fulton County DA Fani Willis asserts that the prosecution against Donald Trump for election interference has not been delayed despite ongoing proceedings regarding her relationship with a special prosecutor. Trump faces four felony indictments and has sought to delay and dismiss the cases, alleging political targeting. Defense attorneys have raised allegations of impropriety between the special prosecutor and Willis, but a judge found insufficient evidence to support these claims. Willis defended her actions, stating that her reputation does not need to be reclaimed and that her relationship with the special prosecutor is not embarrassing.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can continue prosecuting Donald Trump in the Georgia election case after special prosecutor Nathan Wade withdrew due to their romantic relationship, but faces criticism for financial concerns and public statements. Judge Scott McAfee rebuked Willis for her judgment and questioned the truthfulness of her and Wade's testimony. The judge put the decision in Willis' hands, leading to Wade's resignation. The case's long-term impacts remain uncertain as Trump and his allies are likely to continue attacking its legitimacy.
Fulton County DA Fani Willis has been ordered by a judge to step aside from the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump or remove the special prosecutor with whom she had a romantic relationship before the case can proceed. The judge criticized Willis for a "tremendous" lapse of judgment and questioned the truthfulness of her and the special prosecutor's testimony about the timing of their relationship. The ruling threatens to damage Willis' reputation and taint the public's perception of the prosecution, while Trump's defense team plans to use all legal options available to fight the case.
A Georgia judge ruled that Fulton County DA Fani Willis can continue prosecuting the racketeering case against Donald Trump and co-defendants if either she or special prosecutor Nathan Wade remove themselves due to their romantic relationship, which creates an appearance of impropriety. The judge found no actual conflict but acknowledged the appearance of impropriety, leaving open the possibility for the case to proceed before the 2024 presidential election. The ruling comes after Trump's co-defendant, Michael Roman, filed a motion for Willis to be disqualified, alleging financial benefit from Wade's appointment. Both Willis and Wade testified that their relationship began after his appointment, while Roman's lawyers attempted to prove otherwise.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade are accused of witness tampering and suborning perjury in the ongoing RICO and election interference case against Donald Trump, with defense attorneys alleging a coordinated campaign to tamper with a witness and encourage false testimony. The allegations stem from testimony and phone calls involving key witnesses, raising questions about the prosecutors' conduct and the nature of their relationship.
Georgia defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant revealed to a Senate committee how she uncovered the affair between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and attorney Nathan Wade, who was appointed as special prosecutor in the election interference case against Donald Trump. The affair, which allegedly began in 2019, has raised concerns about conflict of interest and potential misconduct, with evidence including travel records and credit card statements. The hearings over their relationship have concluded, and a ruling on the allegations is expected within the next two weeks.
The Georgia state Senate committee investigating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis will hear testimony from defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who initially raised allegations of Willis's alleged improper relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The committee, consisting of six Republicans and three Democrats, aims to investigate potential conflicts of interest or misuse of public funds by Willis. They have also requested key documents used by Merchant in her attempts to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against former President Donald Trump. The committee lacks the power to directly sanction Willis but can amend Georgia law or create new legislation, and plans to subpoena additional witnesses as part of the investigation.
An attorney for one of Donald Trump’s co-defendants in Georgia seeks to introduce new testimony from a potential witness regarding the romantic relationship between DA Fani Willis and the special prosecutor in the election interference case. The witness, a co-chief Deputy District Attorney, claims to have had conversations with the special prosecutor's former law partner about the timing of the relationship. The filing aims to disqualify Willis from prosecuting the case, alleging financial benefit from hiring the special prosecutor. Both Willis and the special prosecutor deny any wrongdoing, and a ruling on the misconduct allegations is expected in the next two weeks.