District Attorney Fani Willis faced a series of questions during a recent hearing regarding her involvement with the book 'Find Me the Votes.' The book, which she confirmed was shown to her, was tendered as exhibit number 22. However, objections were raised regarding its relevance and admissibility as evidence.
The defense argued that the book was important to establish a foundation for questioning Willis about her financial situation and her interviews with the authors. They believed it could shed light on potential motives and forensic misconduct. The court expressed concerns about admitting the entire 300-page book, but acknowledged its potential relevance for impeachment purposes.
Willis clarified that she had given two to three interviews to the authors, lasting a total of one to two hours. The defense sought to explore the theme of the book, titled 'A Hard Charging Georgia Prosecutor, A Rogue President, and the Plot to Steal America's Election.' They wanted to establish whether the authors had informed Willis about the focus of the book during their interviews.
The court questioned the relevance of the book's title, as the hearing primarily focused on Willis's financial status and any potential relationship with the authors. The defense argued that the title was relevant to the alleged forensic misconduct and personal interests involved. However, the court urged the defense to move on to new lines of questioning.
The defense then turned its attention to Willis's financial situation, specifically her alleged cash hoard and tax lien. Willis explained that she had always kept cash in her house, ranging from $500 to $9,000, primarily for travel purposes. She emphasized that the cash was not used to pay her tax lien and that she had other means to settle her bills.
The defense also inquired about Willis's use of Cash App, a mobile payment service. Willis confirmed using it to pay a person named Robin Bryant but stated that the person in question, Mr. Wade, did not use Cash App. The defense suggested that using Cash App would leave a record of payments, to which Willis responded that she did not believe personal relationships required such documentation.
The defense then raised concerns about Willis's disclosure form, Exhibit 21, which did not list the expenses paid by Mr. Wade on their trips. Willis argued that she did not consider these expenses as gifts, as she always paid her fair share. She clarified that the nature of their relationship was companionship and friendship, not a financial arrangement.
In conclusion, the hearing delved into Willis's involvement with the book 'Find Me the Votes' and her financial situation. The court addressed objections regarding the book's relevance and admissibility, while the defense sought to establish motives and potential misconduct. The defense also questioned Willis about her cash hoard, tax lien, and use of Cash App, as well as her disclosure form. The hearing provided insights into these aspects of Willis's life and relationships.
