Fulton County DA Fani Willis Ordered to Pay Over $54,000 After Violating Georgia’s Open Records Act

ATLANTA, GA — A judge has ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis violated Georgia’s Open Records Act in a civil case tied to the ongoing 2020 election interference investigation. As a result, Willis has been ordered to pay over $54,000 in attorney’s fees and turn over withheld records within 30 days.

Judge Rules Against DA Willis in Civil Transparency Case

The ruling stems from a public records lawsuit that alleged Willis’s office failed to provide key documents relating to the prosecution of former President Donald Trump and his allies for attempting to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results.

The judge determined that Willis did not comply with multiple open records requests made by the Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF), a nonprofit legal group that has filed several lawsuits in the case. The court sided with SLF, concluding that the DA’s office “failed to perform its duties under Georgia law.”

What Records Were Withheld?

The requests involved emails, text messages, and other internal communications from senior members of the DA’s office. These records were expected to offer insight into the political and procedural motivations behind the Trump election probe.

Willis, who is currently overseeing the criminal racketeering case against Trump and 18 co-defendants, has faced mounting criticism from conservative watchdogs alleging bias and misuse of prosecutorial discretion.

Penalty and Timeline Set by the Court

As part of the court’s decision, DA Willis is now required to:

• Pay more than $54,000 in attorney’s fees to the Southeastern Legal Foundation

• Produce all withheld records within 30 days

• Follow proper open records procedures going forward

This marks one of the most serious civil penalties issued against a sitting Georgia prosecutor under the state’s transparency laws.

Political Reactions Continue to Intensify

Supporters of the ruling argue it signals a major blow to prosecutorial overreach and promotes accountability within Georgia’s judicial system.

Kim Hermann, general counsel for SLF, stated in a press release:

“This case is about ensuring that public officials follow the law just like everyone else. DA Willis ignored open records laws for months. Now she faces the consequences.”

Democratic officials and civil rights groups have countered that the lawsuit was politically motivated, timed to disrupt the high-profile election interference case, which is scheduled for trial later this year.

Larger Implications for 2024 Election Oversight

Legal analysts note that the outcome of this civil records dispute may influence how future investigative transparency is handled by local prosecutors. The decision also raises questions about the intersection of politics, law, and public access in cases involving major political figures.

Willis has not yet issued a public statement on the ruling or the fine.

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