In a candid ABC News interview, Nathan Wade opened up about his workplace romance with Fani Willis amid the ongoing legal battle involving former President Trump, Fox News reported.
Nathan Wade, once a special prosecutor in Fulton County, stepped down due to a controversy surrounding his relationship with District Attorney Fani Willis.
Nathan Wade had been appointed by Fani Willis to assist in the high-profile case against former President Trump, who is accused of interfering in Georgia's 2020 election results. This appointment quickly drew public attention due to the romantic nature of their relationship, which began in spring 2022.
The couple admitted to their relationship but denied any professional wrongdoing or financial misconduct. However, accusations soon surfaced, suggesting that Wade's significant earnings from the case, amounting to over $650,000, were used to fund joint vacations with Willis.
Despite these accusations, Willis and Wade maintained that their relationship did not impact the legal proceedings against Trump. They asserted that they equally shared travel expenses and that Willis gained no financial advantage from Wade's role as special prosecutor.
As the situation developed, concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of the legal process grew, prompting Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to demand that one of them step aside to ensure the fairness of the Trump prosecution.
Choosing to protect the sanctity of the case and uphold democratic principles, Wade resigned from his position. This decision came shortly after Judge McAfee's ultimatum and was meant to preserve the credibility of the prosecution against Trump.
Wade expressed regret over the public scrutiny that their relationship attracted, emphasizing that it diverted attention from the significant legal issues at hand. His main concern, as stated in his resignation, was that the private details of his life had begun to overshadow the central issues of the Trump case.
Throughout the media storm, Wade has stood by the assertion that workplace romances are common and that theirs was no exception, famously describing it as "as American as apple pie."
Following Wade's resignation, Fani Willis praised his professionalism, courage, and dedication to justice. She highlighted his patriotism and the dignity with which he handled the pressures of the case and his personal ordeal. Conversely, former President Trump took to social media to comment on Wade's resignation, labeling it a "disgrace" and comparing him unfavorably to other controversial figures in recent American legal history.
Amid these contrasting views, Wade's personal take on the matter reflects a mix of regret and resolve. He believes firmly that his personal decisions should not impact the perception of the legal proceedings.
Wade's public relations strategy has been to openly discuss the situation in an effort to clarify the sequence of events and motivations behind his actions. This approach was evident in his choice to engage with ABC News for a detailed interview, where he addressed the controversies head-on.
Interestingly, Wade had previously planned to appear on NBC's "Meet the Press," but this was abruptly canceled due to a family emergency, adding another layer of public intrigue and speculation regarding his personal and professional life.
In his ABC News interview, Wade emphasized the depth of his and Willis's feelings, noting that their relationship led them to make decisions that, in his view, should remain private but unfortunately became public fodder.
