By Brandon DrennanBBC News, Washington
reutersFulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has publicly fired back at critics over allegations she had ties to the prosecutor in the election fraud case against former President Donald Trump.
In a speech at a historic Atlanta church on Sunday, the Georgia prosecutor said she was “flawed” and “incomplete.”
Ms Willis is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a lawyer she calls her “great friend”.
He blamed race for the criticisms.
It was the first time Ms. Willis, Fulton County’s first Black female district attorney, has made any public comments hinting at the charges since they were first filed in court on January 8.
In the filing, lawyers for Michael Roman, one of 19 co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case, accused Ms. Willis of engaging in a “personal, romantic relationship” with the case’s lead prosecutor.
Mr. Roman asked the judge to dismiss his indictment, saying in the filing that Ms. Willis “personally benefited” from the relationship. He also said the judge should disqualify Ms Willis from further trials because she allegedly deceived the public with her “deliberate failure” to disclose their relationship.
Lawyers alleged that the special prosecutor appointed by Ms Willis’s office, Nathan Wade, “lacked relevant experience”, but has been paid nearly $650,000 (£510,705) in legal fees since his appointment.
And, according to the court filing, Mr. Wade and Ms. Willis took lavish vacations together on cruises and to places like California and the Caribbean.
Mr Trump’s lawyers said in court on Friday that they were considering joining the complaint.
Fulton County Sheriff’s OfficeSpeaking during a service celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Ms. Willis did not mention Mr. Wade by name or mention allegations of having an inappropriate relationship.
He focused on the role of race in the allegations in his nearly 30-minute remarks, defending Mr. Wade’s credentials.
Ms Willis said she was “a little confused” as to why so many people questioned her decision to bring multiple special prosecutors into the case and asked whether her critics were “playing the race card”.
Ms. Willis said, “I hired three special consultants. It’s my right to do so. Pay them all the same hourly rate.”
“They only attacked one,” he said, adding that the other two outside lawyers were white.
Ms Willis detailed in her speech the difficulties she faced over the rampant racism she said she had faced since taking over the case.
“I’m tired of the cruel treatment,” Ms Willis said, describing feelings of “isolation”, “loneliness” and death threats.
“They call me the N-word more than they call me fanny.”
A spokesman for Ms. Willis’s office said a direct response to the allegations would be filed with the court soon.
Mr Roman’s lawyer Ashley Merchant denied Ms Willis’ allegations that race was a factor.
Ms Merchant said: “This has nothing to do with the color of (Nathan Wade’s) skin.”
The court filing by Ms Merchant provides no direct evidence to support her client’s claims and only cites “informed sources”.
Ms. Merchant said she could not share details until Mr. Wade’s divorce records were released.
