FOLLOW US

Georgia’s election interference charges against former President Donald Trump and co-defendants will continue after Pete Skandalakis, head of the state’s prosecutorial oversight agency, announced Friday that he will take over the case from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Multiple outside prosecutors had declined the assignment.

The move comes just hours before a judge-imposed deadline that could have dismissed the case for lack of prosecution, keeping alive charges that had been stalled for nearly two years.

Prosecutor Assumes Control Amid Legal Drama

“The decision to assume responsibility for this matter was reached only after careful and deliberate consideration,” Skandalakis said. He emphasized that allowing the case to lapse or be dismissed would not have been the proper course, pledging an “informed and transparent determination about how best to proceed.”

Skandalakis received 101 banker boxes and eight terabytes of evidence from Willis’ office after Judge Scott McAfee ordered the Prosecuting Attorneys Council (PAC) to find a replacement prosecutor. His entry ensures more time to review the massive files and plan the next steps.

Trump Team Responds

Trump attorney Steve Sadow told Law360, “This politically charged prosecution has to come to an end. We remain confident that a fair and impartial review will lead to a dismissal of the case against President Trump.”

The announcement maintains the case against Trump and more than a dozen alleged co-conspirators, following revelations that Willis had a romantic relationship with top prosecutor Nathan Wade—a disclosure that forced her removal from the case.

A Tumultuous History

First exposed by attorney Ashleigh Merchant, the relationship between Willis and Wade sparked a legal battle over the DA’s participation. Judge McAfee, citing an “odor of mendacity,” gave Willis an ultimatum to remove Wade. Wade resigned the same day, but a divided Georgia Court of Appeals later ruled Willis’ removal was required. The Supreme Court of Georgia declined to review.

Judge Trenton Brown wrote at the time that while an appearance of impropriety usually isn’t enough for disqualification, this case was an exception, requiring removal to restore public confidence.

Time Crunch and Procedural Challenges

Back before Judge McAfee in October, the case faced potential dismissal if a new prosecutor wasn’t named within two weeks. Skandalakis and the PAC requested extensions, citing the complexity of the case and the massive amount of evidence, winning additional time through Friday.

The PAC’s prior involvement in the case of now-Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, related to Trump’s 2020 “fake electors,” also informed Skandalakis’ decision. That matter languished for two years before being dropped.

Looking Ahead

Skandalakis stressed that his objective is fairness and transparency, handling the case “without fear, favor, or affection,” aware of the public interest dating back to January 2021, when Willis first announced the investigation.

Willis’ office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.