Court Imposes $21,578 Penalty on Fani Willis In Open Records Lawsuit

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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis stands amidst stacks of boxed records, appearing as the overseer of documents central to Judicial Watch's open records lawsuit.

Key Takeaways

  1. Judicial Watch Prevails: A Georgia court found District Attorney Fani Willis in default, imposing $21,578 in attorney’s fees and costs.
  2. Records Withheld: Despite initially denying any responsive records, Willis later admitted to having communications with the House January 6 Committee but withheld nearly all of them, claiming exemptions.
  3. Special Master Sought: Judicial Watch has moved to appoint a special master to ensure a diligent search for any remaining records and to review the withheld communications.

By Samuel A. Lopez – USA Herald

(Washington, DC) – In a recent ruling, the Superior Court in Fulton County, Georgia, has issued an order granting Judicial Watch $21,578 in attorney’s fees and costs. In accordance with the court’s December order, Willis must tender payment of $21,578 within two weeks of the order’s entry.

This comes after District Attorney Fani Willis was found in default in an open records lawsuit concerning communications between her office, Special Counsel Jack Smith, and the House January 6 Committee.

Judicial Watch’s lawsuit, officially filed in March 2024 under the Georgia Open Records Act (ORA), demanded that Willis release any records pertaining to her communications with the Department of Justice’s Special Counsel Jack Smith and the House January 6 Committee. According to the court record, Willis initially “flatly ignored” the request, then falsely responded that no such records existed.

After several back-and-forths, the Fulton County court determined in early December 2024 that Willis was in default for failing to comply with her obligations under the law. Notably, once default was entered, Willis suddenly acknowledged the existence of communications with the January 6 Committee—material she had previously disclaimed.