Fani Willis, the controversial Fulton County District Attorney who targeted Donald Trump in a politically-charged election interference case, has been ordered to pay over $54,000 for violating Georgia’s Open Records Act. The stunning court decision marks another significant blow to Willis’ legal crusade against the president and reveals a disturbing pattern of misconduct from the prosecutor who has repeatedly demonstrated her unwillingness to follow the law.

Fani Willis Hit With Major Financial Penalty

A Georgia judge ordered Willis to pay $54,000 in attorney fees after finding her office was “openly hostile” to legitimate document requests made by defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant. Merchant represents Michael Roman, one of the co-defendants indicted alongside President Trump in the Georgia election case that many conservatives view as part of the ongoing lawfare campaign against the president.

@AshleighMerchan & John Merchant sued Fani Willis & the Fulton DA’s Office for Open Records violations. What’s something like that worth? Apparently $54,000! pic.twitter.com/2MDycD42EX

— Noah Pines (@noahpines) March 15, 2025

The court’s ruling specifically cited Willis’ “lack of good faith” in handling the records requests, giving her just 30 days to both provide the documents and pay the substantial financial penalty. This latest development follows Willis’ disqualification from prosecuting the case entirely after her improper romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade was exposed, revealing how she paid her boyfriend nearly $700,000 in taxpayer funds while they enjoyed lavish vacations together.

Pattern of Misconduct Continues to Emerge

Merchant’s law firm had sought various records from Willis’ office regarding how public funds were being spent in the prosecution against Trump and his co-defendants. The defense attorney’s investigation ultimately uncovered the inappropriate relationship between Willis and Wade, leading to the prosecutor’s removal from the case due to what the court called an “appearance of impropriety.”

Fani Willis, Fulton County D.A. Ordered to pay $54K for open records violation pic.twitter.com/sCOrpYKqjH

— Don’t know yet, SPANNER (@hwv45533637) March 15, 2025

Willis’ office has attempted to frame Merchant’s legitimate document requests as an effort to “undermine” the prosecution, showcasing the district attorney’s apparent belief that she is above transparency requirements. The Georgia Senate, recognizing the serious nature of Willis’ misconduct, passed legislation allowing Trump and his co-defendants to seek reimbursement for legal expenses if a district attorney is disqualified due to misconduct and the case is ultimately dismissed.

Defense Attorney Celebrates Victory for Accountability

The case against Trump and his co-defendants remains in legal limbo while Willis’ disqualification is under appeal, with no clear timeline for resolution. Despite facing removal from the case, Willis has continued to fight, claiming in her appeal that “No Georgia court has ever disqualified a district attorney for the mere appearance of impropriety without the existence of an actual conflict of interest.”

Democrat’s corrupt hero loses another case.

“Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has lost yet another case and is now being ordered to once again pay attorneys fees for her office’s intentional violations of Peach State open records laws.” pic.twitter.com/okP2K8mODi

— MJ Stock Trader (@stock_mj) March 16, 2025

“Proud that we have judges willing to hold people in power accountable when they ignore the law!!!” – Ashleigh Merchant

Merchant’s victory in the records dispute represents an important win for transparency and legal accountability, forcing Willis to finally comply with Georgia law after months of obstruction. The ongoing saga highlights the dangers of politically-motivated prosecutions and the importance of constitutional protections against prosecutorial overreach, reinforcing what many Trump supporters have long suspected about the true motivations behind the Georgia case.

Sources:

Fani Willis Ordered to Pay Over $50k For Violations in Donald Trump Case – Newsweek

Trump’s Fani Willis Case Handed New Court Date