Judge Rules Fani Willis Violated Open Records Law, Orders Payment of $54K in Attorneys’ Fees
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been found in violation of Georgia’s Open Records Act and has been ordered to pay more than $54,000 in attorneys’ fees. The ruling, issued by Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause, comes after defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant filed a lawsuit alleging Willis’ office failed to comply with multiple public records requests.
Violation of Open Records Law
The case stems from Merchant’s request for documents related to media monitoring services hired by Willis’ office ahead of the high-profile indictment of former President Donald Trump and several co-defendants in 2023. According to the court ruling, Willis’ office delayed responding to the records request and demonstrated a “lack of good faith” in complying with Georgia’s transparency laws.
Judge Krause described the District Attorney’s handling of the matter as “openly hostile” and ruled that the failure to provide the requested records was a clear violation of the law. As a result, Willis’ office is now required to cover the legal fees incurred by Merchant’s team, totaling $54,000.
Legal Implications and Response
In addition to the financial penalty, Willis has been ordered to produce the requested records within 30 days. Her office has indicated plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that the delays were not intentional and that the request was overly broad.
This legal setback comes as Willis continues to oversee the high-profile election interference case against Trump and his allies. The ruling raises questions about transparency within her office and could add further scrutiny to her handling of legal proceedings related to the Trump indictment.
Broader Impact
Legal experts suggest that this case highlights ongoing concerns about government accountability and compliance with open records laws. Transparency advocates argue that public officials, particularly prosecutors handling politically sensitive cases, must adhere strictly to disclosure requirements to maintain public trust.
With an appeal likely on the horizon, the dispute over these public records is far from over. However, for now, the court’s decision serves as a strong rebuke against what it described as an improper lack of transparency from the Fulton County District Attorney’s office.
Source : Swifteradio.com
