Court finds Fani Willis in default over open records request
- A Georgia Superior Court found Fani Willis in default for failing to respond to a lawsuit brought by Judicial Watch.
- The lawsuit sought records related to her communications with the January 6 Committee and Special Counsel Jack Smith.
- The court ordered Willis to pay attorney fees and provide the requested records within five business days.
In a significant legal development in Georgia, a Superior Court has ruled against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for defaulting on an open records lawsuit initiated by Judicial Watch. The lawsuit, filed in March 2024, sought access to records pertaining to Willis's communications with Special Counsel Jack Smith's office and the January 6 Committee. Judicial Watch argued that Willis's denial of having such records was likely False as it contradicted previous correspondence involving her outreach for assistance from the January 6 Committee regarding the committee's investigations. The court found that Willis had been in default since April 11, 2024, largely because she failed to show up in court or provide any defense against the claims made by Judicial Watch. This unprecedented ruling marks one of the few instances where a government official has faced a court default on an open records lawsuit, raising questions about accountability among public officials. The court has mandated that Willis pay attorney fees to Judicial Watch and supply legally releasable documents within five business days, further spotlighting issues surrounding transparency in governmental operations, particularly concerning high-profile legal matters involving political figures. As stated by Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, this situation highlights serious concerns about potential collusion between Willis and Democratic leadership in prosecuting former President Donald Trump, framing this case within broader discussions surrounding partisanship in law enforcement actions.