Key witness in Fani Willis case testifies he may have lied in texts about associates’ affair

Former legislation agency companion and divorce legal professional Terrance Bradley testified below oath Tuesday relating to what he knew about Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis and particular prosector Nathan Wade’s private relationship. Bradley took the stand after Judge Scott McAfee decided Bradley could not declare attorney-client privilege.

Bradley, when pressed below oath, mentioned he could not recall a number of particulars and timelines about conversations he had with former shopper Nathan Wade about Wade’s romantic relationship with Fani Willis. 

Defense legal professional Ashleigh Merchant at one level referenced textual content messages between her and Bradley in which she had requested Bradley if he thought their relationship began earlier than Willis employed Wade in 2021. Bradley responded “absolutely” in the textual content change. 

But in court docket Tuesday, Bradley claimed he was “speculating” in these feedback. 

FANI WILLIS’ TESTIMONY WAS ‘BELLIGERENT’ AND COULD DAMAGE HER CREDIBILITY, FORMER PROSECUTOR SAYS

Willis, the district legal professional for Fulton County, Georgia, is accused of getting an “improper” romantic relationship with particular prosecutor Nathan Wade, left. (Getty Images)

Attorney Richard Rice later requested Bradley if he makes a behavior of passing on “lies about your friends.” 

“Do you tell lies about your friends? About a case of national importance?” Rice requested. 

“I could have had, I don’t know,” Bradley responded. 

Bradely mentioned he could not recall key particulars or particular info over two dozen occasions in the roughly two-hour testimony in Fulton County Superior Court Tuesday. He additionally claimed he had solely ever mentioned Wade’s relationship with Willis as soon as with Wade.

FULTON COUNTY DA FANI WILLIS ACCUSED OF LYING ABOUT TIMING OF AFFAIR WITH TRUMP PROSECUTOR

Bradley earlier this month averted answering sure questions, citing attorney-client privilege. Judge McAfee mentioned he would maintain an “in-camera” assembly with Bradley to find out if his privilege assertions are correct. He mentioned it appeared Bradley may have been misusing his attorney-client privilege. 

Bradley is the previous legislation agency companion to Nathan Wade, who’s accused of getting an affair that financially benefited Willis after she employed him to assist prosecute the election interference case towards former president Donald Trump. 

On Tuesday, Bradley mentioned he hadn’t spoken to Wade in two years after having been associates for over 10 years.  

Terrence Bradley, divorce lawyer and former legislation companion of Nathan Wade, testifies throughout a listening to into misconduct allegations towards Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on the Fulton County Courthouse Feb. 27, 2024, in Atlanta.  (Brynn Anderson/Pool/AFP through Getty Images)

Bradley had refused to reply among the questions requested by protection counsel about what he knew about Wade and Wills’ relationship and when he knew, citing attorney-client privilege. Bradley, for a short time, was Wade’s lawyer throughout Wade’s divorce.

Judge McAfee decided after the in-camera assembly that Bradley’s testimony was not coated by privilege, resulting in Tuesday’s testimony, which is probably going the final installment of evidentiary hearings earlier than each side current closing arguments Friday. 

Lawyers for Trump and his co-defendants who’re accusing Willis of getting had an “improper” affair with Wade will attempt to join proof that Willis and Wade lied about when their relationship started and may subsequently be disqualified from the case. 

Earlier this month, Willis’ father, John C. Floyd III, took the stand and confirmed what Willis testified to on Thursday — that her father taught her to maintain giant quantities of money available always. She claimed it was from these funds that she reimbursed Wade for luxurious journeys, which is why she had no document of the funds.

He additionally mentioned he didn’t meet Wade till 2023, and that he was unaware his daughter had a romantic relationship with Wade till about seven weeks in the past, when allegations of Willis’ impropriety have been first made in court docket filings. 

During their romantic relationship, which ended final summer season, Wade and Willis vacationed to wine nation in California, the Caribbean and different locations. 

Michael Roman, a GOP political operative and co-defendant in the Trump case, first alleged that Willis had a battle of curiosity in the case as a result of she benefited financially from hiring her lover. Four co-defendants have made comparable accusations. 

The crux of the protection’s case is whether or not it could actually show with a cash path that Willis has a battle of curiosity in the case towards Trump and ought to be disqualified. 

GEORGIA DA FANI WILLIS WILL NOT TESTIFY FOR SECOND DAY ON ‘IMPROPER’ AFFAIR WITH NATHAN WADE

Willis testified Thursday that she reimbursed Wade for her share of trip bills in money, however she and Wade testified there have been no receipts for these transactions.

The protection, led by Ashleigh Merchant, can be attempting to show Willis and Wade have been romantically concerned previous to Wade’s employment in the DA’s workplace.

Both Willis and Wade insisted that their relationship began in 2022, after Wade was employed. But they contradicted testimony from Robin Yeartie, a former “good friend” of Willis and previous worker on the DA’s workplace. 

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies throughout a listening to in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump on the Fulton County Courthouse on Feb. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer)

Yeartie mentioned she had “no doubt” Willis and Wade’s relationship began in 2019, after the 2 met at a convention. 

Yeartie testified to observing Willis and Wade “hugging” and “kissing” and exhibiting “affection” previous to November 2021 and that she had little question that the 2 have been in a “romantic” relationship beginning in 2019 and lasting till she and Willis final spoke in 2022. 

Willis dismissed Yeartie’s testimony and mentioned she now not considers Yeartie a pal. 

The spotlight of the two-day continuing was Willis’ personal — and surprising — testimony Thursday, which was described by one skilled as “belligerent.”

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She verbally sparred with attorneys for hours, at one level prompting the decide to threaten to strike her testimony. She additionally raised eyebrows for showing to be sporting her costume backward. She didn’t return to the witness stand Friday. 

Judge McAfee mentioned firstly of the proceedings earlier this month that it’s “clear that disqualification can occur if evidence is produced demonstrating an actual conflict or the appearance of one.”