Fani Willis Hired Nathan Wade Without Fulton County’s Input, Officials Say

County officials said they have no control over the district attorney’s budgetary decisions.

(Left) Fulton County district attorney Fanni Willis testifies during a hearing into 'misconduct' allegations against her at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on Feb. 15, 2024. (Right) Fulton County Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade looks on during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on Feb. 15, 2024. Alyssa Pointer/Pool via Getty Images

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis had sole discretion over her decision to hire Nathan Wade as a special prosecutor in her 2020 election probe, county officials revealed on May 3.

Addressing members of the Georgia Senate Special Committee on Investigations, Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robb Pitts said county staff had interpreted state law to mean that Ms. Willis did not need the commission’s approval to hire Mr. Wade.