Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis must pay over $54,000 for breaking open records laws. The violation occurred during her prosecution of former President Donald Trump.
Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause issued the order Friday. Willis now owes $54,264 in attorney fees and litigation expenses.
Judge Krause found Willis "intentionally" withheld records. Attorney Ashleigh Merchant requested these documents while seeking to disqualify Willis from Trump's prosecution.
The controversy centered around Nathan Wade, a former special assistant DA. Wade resigned after revelations of his romantic relationship with Willis.
Merchant suspected Willis and Wade might have financially gained from Wade’s role. The requested documents specifically involved Wade’s employment.
The court order criticized Dexter Bond, the open records custodian. It described his attitude toward Merchant as "openly hostile," noting he treated her requests differently.
Bond usually called requestors to clarify their needs but refused to communicate by phone with Merchant. The judge stated this behavior showed "a lack of good faith."
"Defendants’ failures were intentional, not done in good faith, and were substantially groundless and vexatious," the court order concluded.
Merchant reacted positively to the ruling in a post on X. She wrote, "proud that we have judges willing to hold people in power accountable when they ignore the law!!!!"
Willis’ office now has 30 days to pay the penalty. Additionally, the judge ordered Willis to finally provide the withheld records.