In a courtroom drama straight out of Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis finds herself in hot water. A judge has handed down a scathing verdict, ordering her office to cough up nearly $22,000 for repeatedly violating the Peach State’s open records laws. Here’s what went down.
The Backstory: Records, Lawsuits, and Denials
It all began when Willis’ office denied having any documents about communications with special counsel Jack Smith or the now-defunct House select committee investigating the January 6th Capitol attack. Judicial Watch, a conservative watchdog group, wasn’t buying it. They filed a lawsuit, and the case landed in Fulton County Superior Court, with Judge Robert McBurney presiding.
The judge wasn’t impressed. Late last year, he ordered Willis to produce the documents or explain why they were missing. What followed was a chain of revelations that exposed significant missteps by the DA’s office.
The Judge’s Verdict: Pay Up!
After hearing arguments, Judge McBurney ruled that Willis’ office had violated Georgia’s Open Records Act (ORA). The price for these violations? A hefty $21,578 to cover Judicial Watch’s attorney fees and costs.
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton didn’t hold back, stating, “Fani Willis flouted the law, and the court is right to slam her. But what we really want is the full truth about her office’s political collusion with the Pelosi January 6 committee to ‘get Trump.’”
What Went Wrong?
The court found that Willis’ team not only ignored records requests but also lied about the existence of certain documents. Judge McBurney didn’t mince words, describing the DA’s office as having adopted a “no, go away” attitude toward the requests.
One key moment? A letter Willis wrote to the January 6 committee chair. Her office initially denied this letter even existed. Judicial Watch, however, had already obtained it. When the court pressed for answers, the DA’s office finally handed it over—attached to a memo explaining why they believed it was exempt. The judge wasn’t having it, calling out the “sudden discovery” as a clear violation of the ORA.
Judge’s Sharp Criticism
In his ruling, McBurney highlighted the DA’s failure to conduct a proper search for records until forced by the lawsuit. Even after the legal battle began, efforts to comply were half-hearted at best. Employees were simply asked if they thought they had responsive records—no thorough searches of emails or case files were conducted.
The judge’s frustration boiled over in his remarks: “Non-compliance has consequences,” he said, pointing to the mandatory nature of the ORA.
What’s Next for Willis?
The DA’s office now has a bill due by January 17. Additionally, Judicial Watch is pushing for a special master to dig deeper into the agency’s files. Willis has until January 16 to respond.
This legal saga serves as a stark reminder: transparency isn’t optional, and failing to comply with open records laws can come with serious consequences. For now, all eyes remain on Fulton County as this story unfolds.