Georgia Prepares Sanctions Commission to Possibly Disrupt Trump Case and DA Fani Willis – Sky Bulletin

In Atlanta, the state of Georgia is on the verge of activating a commission with the authority to discipline and remove prosecutors. The future of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ case against former President Donald Trump may hang in the balance. The Georgia House has given Senate Bill 332 a green light with a 97-73 vote and now awaits the signature of Governor Brian Kemp, who has expressed intent to enact the law.

Although the creation of the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission was approved by Kemp last year, it stalled when the state Supreme Court in November declined to validate the commission’s rules. Citing “grave doubts” regarding their jurisdiction to oversee district attorneys beyond legal practice, the court refused. However, the new legislative measure aims to eliminate the need for Supreme Court endorsement, effectively clearing a path for the commission to operate.

“Once this bill’s passed, this commission will be able to begin its real work, which is bringing accountability to those rogue prosecuting attorneys who abuse their office, sexually harass their employees and do not show up for work,” Rep. Joseph Gullett, a Dallas Republican, advocated.

Despite the move forward, the measure is anticipated to be met with fresh legal challenges. Four district attorneys previously challenging the commission have since withdrawn their lawsuit after the Supreme Court’s decision.

The proposed law places stringent requirements on district attorneys and solicitors general, who are responsible for prosecuting less severe cases in certain counties. It mandates that each case be individually assessed, putting an end to blanket prosecution policies for specific offense classes. Critics argue that this inhibits prosecutorial discretion.

House Democratic Whip Sam Park from Lawrenceville criticized the bill as a “partisan attempt to control and discipline prosecutors,” and fears it could negatively impact ongoing legal proceedings against the “twice-impeached President Donald Trump.”

Republicans, however, insist that the bill is not specifically targeted at Willis, referencing other instances of prosecutorial misconduct, including past Democratic opportunities where an oversight panel was favored.

The commission faces skepticism from Democrats regarding the potential for rulemaking without review bodies. “We are creating an oversight commission with no oversight,” argued Rep. Stacey Evans, an Atlanta Democrat.

This legislative action coincides with the state Senate’s establishment of a separate investigative committee to inspect Willis’ utilization of state funds, particularly concerning the appointment of attorney Nathan Wade as a special prosecutor in the Trump investigation.

Willis and Wade defended their professional integrity in a recent hearing, despite their admitted romantic involvement. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee has yet to rule on whether both can continue in their prosecutorial roles.

Republican House Speaker Jon Burns of Newington expressed his belief that the oversight commission would more adequately address allegations against Willis than the Senate’s special committee.

This development in Georgia is part of a broader national trend, with Republicans across the United States aiming to exert control over dissenting prosecutors, particularly those pursuing progressive criminal justice reforms.