ATLANTA — From an investigation into the state's 2020 election to Donald Trump's Georgia indictment -- there were many twists and turns that led up to a disqualification hearing against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her office.
The saga continued Friday when Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled in a manner where Willis could somewhat decide her own fate, after she had a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
McAfee offered Willis two choices: that she choose to step aside, along with the entire DA's office and refer the case to the Prosecuting Attorney's Council for reassignment, or Wade can withdraw, "allowing the D.A., the Defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence."
By Friday afternoon, Wade resigned, effective immediately, in a letter addressed to Willis. In a response, Willis accepted the resignation.
The disqualification proceedings began when an attorney representing one of the defendants in the election interference case filed a motion earlier this year asking the judge to disqualify Willis and Wade, accusing the pair of improperly financially benefitting from their relationship. The judge ultimately ruled that there was not enough evidence to prove the pair benefitted, though he admonished Willis for her "lapse of judgement."
Here's a timeline of some of the major moments into how the election interference case started and where we are now.
Timeline: 7 key moments to know
Feb. 10, 2021 | Criminal probe begins into alleged election interference
DA Willis sent a letter to Gov. Brian Kemp and others on Feb. 10, 2021 to notify him that her office had started an investigation into the "attempts to influence the administration of the 2020 Georgia General Election."
One of the key components that had been widely discussed in the media was a phone call the former president made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. In the now-infamous call, Trump insisted he won Georgia and pressured Raffensperger to find evidence that would overturn the state's result in favor of President Joe Biden.
Nov. 1, 2021 | Willis hires Nathan Wade as special prosecutor in case
Nathan Wade, an outside attorney, was contracted with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office to help lead the 2020 election interference case. He was appointed to the case on Nov. 1, 2021.
Aug. 14, 2023 | Former President Donald Trump and 18 others indicted
A Fulton County grand jury returned an indictment on Aug. 14, 2023 against former President Donald Trump, alleging that efforts to overturn the presidential election result in Georgia in 2020 amounted to an illegal conspiracy in violation of state laws. That historic decision implicated not just Trump, but also 18 others.
More recently, though, the judge dismissed six counts of the indictment, eliminating three of the challenges specifically against Trump. The former president still faces several charges.
Jan. 8, 2024 | Defense attorney files motion to disqualify Willis from case
Ashleigh Merchant, a defense attorney representing Michael Roman in the 2020 election case, filed a motion accusing Willis and Wade of engaging in “an improper, clandestine personal relationship.” Roman is a former Trump campaign staffer and White House aide.
Feb. 2, 2024 | Willis and Wade admit to relationship
In a court filing on Feb. 2, 2024, Willis and Wade confirmed they started a "personal relationship" after he was appointed to manage her Trump election interference case. However, in the 176-page document, Willis rejected claims that she misused taxpayer funds to financially benefit her and Wade.
Willis and Wade were friends since 2019, but the two were not involved in a personal relationship when Wade was appointed special prosecutor on Nov. 1, 2021, according to the D.A.'s office and a sworn affidavit from Wade included in the response.
Feb. 15, 2024 | Willis and Wade testify during disqualification hearing
Wade and Willis took the witness stand to provide testimony in the disqualification hearing on Feb. 15, 2024. They both testified about the timeline of their relationship and the trips they took together.
Willis fired back at claims about misconduct.
“Do you think I’m on trial? These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. I’m not on trial no matter how hard you try to put me on trial,” Willis told defense attorney Merchant.
March 15, 2024 | Judge issues ruling, Wade resigns
McAfee ruled that the DA and her office must leave the case or remove Wade from it before the case can proceed. In the ruling, the judge said "there has not been a showing that the Defendants' due process rights have been violated or that the issues involved prejudiced the Defendants in any way." However, he said, the allegations created an “appearance of impropriety” that "infected" the prosecution team. The judge added the relationship was a “tremendous” lapse in judgment and chided the “unprofessional manner of the District Attorney’s testimony."
Hours after the judge issued his decision, Wade resigned, saying in a letter to Willis he was "proud of the work our team has accomplished in investigating, indicting, and litigating this case."