According to recent developments, the Fulton County Commission has made substantial changes to its ethics and anti-nepotism policies following the controversy surrounding Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
Some have suggested the policy change could create complications for Fani Willis and her prosecution against former President Donald Trump in the election interference case. Reportedly, complaints can be brought against elected officials such as Willis.
Commissioner Bob Ellis spoke to Rough Draft Atlanta about the recent update, explaining that the policy now applies to any Fulton County elected official who receives county funding. “The ethics policy was extended to all types of elected officials in Fulton County that received Fulton County funds,” he said.
According to Ellis, an ethics complaint had already surfaced against Willis, but the board determined that the policy didn’t apply to her position at the time. The initiative now clearly defines what an officer or employee of the county is.
Per the ordinance to amend the ethics code, “Officer or employee means any elected officer of the county, any person appointed to a county board, commission, or agency by the board of commissioners, any person employed by the county, including contractual employees, and any person retained by the county or any agency of the county in a consulting capacity, who is exclusively obligated to the county for a period of ninety (90) or more days. This definition does not include members of advisory boards having no decision-making authority; provided, however, that county employees serving on the Advisory Committee of the Atlanta-Fulton County Water Resources Commission continue to be included within this definition while serving on that Advisory Committee.
It continues, “This definition includes retired former employees and other former employees of the county during any period in which they are later employed or retained by the county or any county agency. This definition shall include any elected or appointed official whose department or agency is appropriated funds from the county.”
Furthermore, the county’s anti-nepotism policy was revised to prevent conflicts of interest from manifesting in Fulton County’s local government. Fani Willis has faced conflict of interest accusations after it was revealed she had a romantic relationship with former special prosecutor on the case, Nathan Wade.
"*" indicates required fields
A judge recently ruled that Wade must resign from the case for Willis to continue overseeing the prosecution. This controversial relationship also faced an ethics complaint but was subsequently dropped due to jurisdictional issues. There have been allegations stemming from the relationship that she may have improperly benefited from the use of public funds based on her relationship with Wade.
While the policy revisions would theoretically extend to the District Attorney position, they are not retroactive, meaning the prior complaints about Willis cannot be reopened. However, Commissioner Ellis noted that the updates provide a more robust framework for assessing ethics complaints moving forward.
Former President Donald Trump and other co-defendents have vehemently denied the accusations brought against them in the election interference case while maintaining that Fani Willis’ prosecution is politically motivated.
Featured image credit: Featured image credit: Fani for DA Campaign website