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Dist. Atty.'s Spending on Personal Travel Probed in Fulton County Case

Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade is questioned by attorney Ashleigh Merchant during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. The hearing is to determine

Fulton County Case Hearing Sheds Light on Personal and Professional Dynamics

During a recent Fulton County case hearing, Nathan Wade, a key figure in the proceedings, faced intense questioning regarding his involvement and the financial aspects of the case. The hearing, which focused on the Corbin Fulton County case, revealed important details about Wade's role and the challenges he faced.

According to Wade's testimony, his income post special counsel appointment in November 2021 was roughly split 50-50 between Fulton County and other income from his law practice. However, his time spent on Fulton County work during the intense period between November 2021 and the dissolution of the Special Purpose Grand Jury in January 2023 was estimated to be around 99%, highlighting the dedication he had towards this case.

The workload was intense, especially during the Special Purpose Grand Jury meetings.
Nathan Wade dedicated 99% of his time to the Fulton County case.
Wade experienced a significant decrease in income due to his commitment to the case.

Wade, who acted as the head or manager of the election integrity case during that period, testified that he spent the majority of his time working diligently on the case. Despite his commitment, his income decreased due to the changing structure of his firm and the division of expenses and profits among the remaining partners.

One significant challenge Wade faced was the monthly cap included in his contracts, which restricted the number of compensable hours he could bill. Several invoices, including numbers 9, 13, 23, 24, and 27, revealed that Wade had worked additional hours beyond the cap but had not been compensated for them. He expressed his frustration at this situation, emphasizing the professional responsibility he felt towards seeing the case through.

Another area of inquiry focused on an affidavit submitted by Wade to support the state's response to a motion. In the affidavit, Wade stated that he and District Attorney Willis, who he referred to as financially independent professionals, divided expenses for personal travel equally. He also mentioned instances where he or Willis used personal funds to purchase travel arrangements for both of them. It was clarified during the hearing that these 'funds' included cash, credit, and reimbursements.

Wade acknowledged that he had only included the receipts he possessed at the time of drafting the affidavit. However, it was brought to his attention that additional receipts existed, demonstrating that District Attorney Willis had funded a trip to Baileys for Wade's birthday, including an $887.35 plane ticket purchased for him.

The hearing also touched on Wade's personal life and the timing of his relationship with District Attorney Willis. Wade testified that their personal or dating relationship began in early 2022, specifically mentioning March. He denied any personal or dating relationship with her prior to that time.

The hearing also shed light on Wade's vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic. He revealed that he had battled cancer in 2020, which made him cautious about leaving sterile environments. When asked if he was dating anyone during that period, Wade stated that he was not.

The Fulton County case hearing provided valuable insight into Nathan Wade's dedication to the case, the financial challenges he faced, and his evolving personal and professional dynamics with District Attorney Willis. These details are crucial in understanding the complexities of the ongoing proceedings and the individuals involved.

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