A longtime Georgia prosecutor, Pete Skandalakis, has appointed himself to supervise the Fulton County election interference case towards President Donald Trump and 18 others after District Lawyer Fani Willis was disqualified. The transfer comes after no different prosecutors had been keen to take the politically delicate case.
“A number of prosecutors had been contacted and, whereas all had been respectful {and professional}, every declined the appointment,” Skandalakis mentioned in an emailed assertion Friday.
Background of Willis’ removing
Willis, who introduced the indictment in August 2023, was faraway from the case over an “look of impropriety” stemming from her romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the particular prosecutor she had appointed to guide the investigation. Whereas Choose Scott McAfee initially allowed her to stay if Wade resigned, the Georgia Court docket of Appeals finally eliminated her in December 2024. The state Supreme Court docket declined to listen to her attraction.
How Skandalakis ended up with the case
After Willis’ removing, the nonpartisan Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia was tasked with appointing a substitute. Dealing with a looming deadline and the danger of case dismissal, Skandalakis selected to tackle the function himself.
“The general public has a professional curiosity within the consequence of this case. Accordingly, it will be significant that somebody make an knowledgeable and clear willpower about how finest to proceed,” Skandalakis mentioned.
He emphasised that he has not but accomplished reviewing the case, citing 101 bins of paperwork and an 8-terabyte onerous drive acquired from Willis’ workplace.
“By taking over the case, I can end assessing it and determine what to do subsequent,” he mentioned.
Authorized implications for Trump and co-defendants
Authorized specialists word that motion towards Trump is unlikely whereas he stays President. Fourteen co-defendants, together with Rudy Giuliani and former White Home Chief of Employees Mark Meadows, nonetheless face costs. Trump not too long ago issued pardons for people concerned in associated efforts to overturn the 2020 election, although these haven’t any impact on state-level costs.
Trump’s legal professional, Steve Sadow, commented: “This politically charged prosecution has to return to an finish. We stay assured {that a} truthful and neutral evaluation will result in a dismissal of the case towards President Trump.”
Allyn Stockton, legal professional for Giuliani, referred to as Skandalakis’ self-appointment an “fascinating twist” however added:
“Every part I learn about Mr. Skandalakis is that he’s a good minded and honorable man who’s void of any political agenda.”
Skandalakis’ earlier involvement
This isn’t Skandalakis’ first function in instances associated to the Trump election controversy. He beforehand dealt with an investigation into Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who had acted as a “faux elector” for Trump. Skandalakis finally selected to not pursue costs towards Jones, citing lack of legal intent.
“I doubt something will ever transfer ahead with the president,” Georgia State College legislation professor Anthony Michael Kreis mentioned, noting that the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council has restricted assets. “This will likely result in a simplification of the case or plea offers for the opposite defendants.”
Skandalakis’ {qualifications} and dedication
Skandalakis has led the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council since 2018 and spent 25 years as an elected Republican district legal professional for the Coweta Judicial Circuit in southwest Georgia. He is not going to obtain extra pay for taking up the case, with Fulton County protecting bills.
(With AP inputs)
