House Judiciary Committee threatens DA Fani Willis with contempt

DA Willis subpoenaed by Congress

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could face contempt of Congress charges if she does not comply with a subpoena to hand over documents requested by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee led by Rep. Jim Jordan.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary is placing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on notice that her cooperation is expected in their investigation into allegations of misusing federal funds during the Georgia election interference case investigation.

A subpoena sent to Willis, dated Feb. 2 and issued by Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), claimed that Willis had "failed to comply voluntarily" with the committee's requests for documents related to her office's receipt and use of U.S. Department of Justice grants.

"All options are on the table, but I expect her to comply," Jim Jordan said.

PREVIOUS STORY: Jim Jordan subpoenas Fulton DA Fani Willis over federal grant misuse allegations

DA Willis subpoenaed by Congress

Furthermore, Jordan accused Willis of terminating an employee who attempted to halt the Fulton County District Attorney's Office from using a federal grant for purposes such as travel, computers, and "swag" related to the creation of a Center of Youth Empowerment and Gang Prevention.

"A whistleblower has come forth and said she doesn't just have this ridiculous lawsuit going, but she has mismanaged, mishandled and misspent allegedly federal grant dollars," Jordan said.

In response to Jordan's claims, a spokesperson for the Fulton County District Attorney told FOX 5 that the allegations were false and stated that the terminated employee was from the previous administration and was dismissed for cause, dismissing any potential lawsuits over the termination as "baseless litigation."

Willis given a deadline

In the new letter to Willis, the committee acknowledges receipt of a "narrow set of documents" in response to the Feb. 2 subpoena but deemed the compliance to date as "deficient."

"We want all the communications. We got very little from her when we sent the subpoena and we want any communications she had internal and with the federal government in particular the Justice Department regarding these grant dollars," Jordan said.

The committee is demanding that Willis and her office provide all documents and communications related to the allegations of federal fund misuse, communications with the Justice Department, communications with Fulton County District Attorney's Office employees regarding federal grants, grant applications and agreements, as well as grant performance measurement and progress reporting documents.

"Any and all communication with the Department of Justice relative to the grant, the application and receipt of the money and more importantly internal communications within the attorney's office on how they were going to spend that money," Jordan said.

Additionally, the letter emphasized that while Willis had requested the committee to "engage" with the Justice Department for the requested documents, her request did not absolve her of the legal obligation to comply with the committee's subpoena.

The committee also rejected Willis' claim that the subpoena was "overbroad and unduly burdensome."

Willis was given a deadline of noon on March 28 to comply with the demands. Failure to do so, the committee warned, could result in further actions, including the invocation of contempt of Congress proceedings.

When asked if the investigation into Willis is politically motivated, Jordan replied:

"I say Fani Willis' attack on President Trump is politically motivated. This is a ridiculous action in itself, but our focus in Congress is to do oversight of funds, particularly funds coming from the Department of Justice," Jordan said.

FOX 5 reached out to Willis' office for a comment on the new letter and deadline. There has been no response at this time.

Investigation into Nathan Wade

The House Judiciary Committee also announced an investigation into Wade on Jan. 12. In a letter sent to Wade, the committee expressed its belief that Wade may "possess documents and information about the coordination of the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office (FCDAO) with other politically motivated investigations and prosecutions, as well as the potential misuse of federal funds."

Wade was also accused in the letter of receiving a substantial amount of money from Fulton County, which he reportedly spent "extravagantly on lavish vacations" with his superior, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

What does the U.S. House Judiciary Committee do

The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, also known as the House Judiciary Committee, is a standing committee of the House of Representatives. It has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues related to the administration of justice, including federal courts and judicial procedures, civil rights and civil liberties, constitutional amendments, antitrust issues, crime control and drug policies.

Decision looming on disqualification motion

Willis is also waiting for Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee's decision on the efforts to have her and her office disqualified from prosecuting the former president and his co-defendants.

The original motion, filed by Michael Roman and his attorney Ashleigh Merchant, accused Willis and Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade of having an "improper" relationship that financially benefited Willis.

RELATED STORIES

The allegations led to a hearing during which both Willis and Wade denied they had done anything wrong.

McAfee is expected to deliver his decision by the end of the week.