Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis faces legal consequences as a Georgia judge orders her to pay nearly $22,000 in attorney fees to Judicial Watch for violating the Open Records Law.
At a Glance
- Fani Willis ordered to pay $21,578 in legal fees to Judicial Watch.
- Fulton County Superior Court found Willis in default for not providing requested documents.
- Judicial Watch sought records of Willis’s communications with Jack Smith and the January 6 Committee.
- Court criticized Willis for violating the Open Records Act.
Judge’s Ruling Against Fani Willis
In a significant legal setback, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been ordered by a Georgia judge to pay $21,578 in attorney fees to Judicial Watch. This ruling comes after Willis was found to have violated the state’s Open Records Law, a decision that raises questions about transparency in her office’s operations.
The Fulton County Superior Court declared Willis in default for failing to provide documents in response to an open records lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch. The conservative watchdog group had requested a default judgment against Willis for her non-response to their lawsuit regarding her communications with Special Counsel Jack Smith and the January 6 Committee.
“Fani Willis flouted the law, and the court is right to slam her and require, at a minimum, the payment of nearly $22,000 to Judicial Watch,” said Judicial Watch President @TomFitton (2/3). https://t.co/qcVL9VTlfT
— Judicial Watch ⚖️ (@JudicialWatch) January 7, 2025
Details of the Open Records Request
Judicial Watch initially filed a Georgia Open Records Act request seeking records of Fani Willis’s communications with Jack Smith. When Willis failed to respond adequately, the group escalated the matter to a lawsuit. The court subsequently ordered Willis to search her records and provide any non-exempt documents to Judicial Watch within five business days.
Despite this order, Willis’s office provided no non-public documents in response. This lack of compliance led to the court’s decision to award Judicial Watch the substantial sum in attorney’s fees and costs.
Implications and Criticism
The court’s ruling has drawn sharp criticism of Willis’s handling of public records. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton emphasized the significance of the decision, stating that it serves as a rebuke to Willis’s actions.
The case has raised concerns about the thoroughness of Willis’s search for records and her office’s compliance with open records laws. Judicial Watch has filed a motion for a special master to oversee future searches, citing doubts about the completeness of Willis’s initial efforts.
Broader Context and Ongoing Investigations
This legal dispute occurs against the backdrop of Willis’s high-profile investigation into former President Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Judicial Watch’s pursuit of these records is part of a broader effort to uncover potential political coordination in the various investigations targeting Trump.
The organization is involved in several other Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuits related to prosecutorial actions against the former president. These efforts aim to shed light on the processes and communications behind these investigations, which have significant implications for the political landscape.
As this legal battle unfolds, it underscores the importance of transparency in public office and the consequences of failing to comply with open records laws. The outcome of this case may have far-reaching effects on how public officials handle records requests and maintain transparency in their communications with other government entities.
Sources:
- Court Awards Judicial Watch $21,578 ‘Fees and Costs’ in Open Records Lawsuit against Fani Willis
- Georgia Judge Orders Fani Willis to Pay Judicial Watch $22,000 in Legal Fees For Her Violation of the Open Records Law
- ‘Fani Willis flouted the law’: Anti-Trump prosecutor stung for thousands of dollars
