Former President Donald Trump is demanding over $6.2 million from the Fulton County District Attorney’s office to cover his legal bills. This request follows the complete dismissal of the 2020 election interference case brought against him by District Attorney Fani Willis.
The legal battle took a dramatic turn last September when Willis was removed from the prosecution. The Georgia Court of Appeals cited a clear “appearance of impropriety” stemming from her romantic involvement with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, effectively sidelining her from the case.
The case’s dismissal in November paved the way for this financial claim. A recently enacted Georgia law stipulates that if a prosecutor is disqualified due to misconduct and the case is subsequently dropped, defendants are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable attorney fees and costs.
These funds, according to the law, are to be drawn directly from the prosecutor’s office budget. The judge overseeing the matter will now review the request and determine the final amount to be awarded.
Trump’s lead attorney, Steve Sadow, characterized the original case as “politically motivated” and “rightfully dismissed.” He emphasized that the request is fully in accordance with Georgia law, seeking to recoup the substantial costs incurred in defending against the charges.
The filed motion specifically requests $6,261,613.08 to cover the former president’s legal expenses. This figure represents the total cost of defending against accusations that he attempted to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.
Willis’ original indictment alleged that Trump pressured Georgia officials, orchestrated a scheme involving “fake electors,” and subjected election workers to harassment. The indictment, handed down by a Fulton County grand jury in August 2023, led to Trump’s surrender at the Fulton County Jail later that month.
In a related filing last month, Willis’ office actively sought to be heard regarding similar claims for fees and costs made by another defendant in the case. This move signaled a preemptive challenge to the new law allowing for expense reimbursement.
Willis argued that the law infringes upon the separation of powers, attempting to hold a constitutionally elected official financially liable for legitimately performing her duties. She also raised concerns about due process, claiming the law retroactively imposes an unfair financial burden on Fulton County taxpayers.
The District Attorney’s motion further contends that the law creates a novel and problematic “fee-shifting scheme” without providing adequate recourse for the county’s financial concerns. The outcome of this dispute will likely set a significant precedent for future cases in Georgia.
