{"id":2577896,"date":"2026-03-09T18:18:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T22:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-denies-fani-willis-bid-to-intervene-in-trumps-17-million-attorney-fee-fight\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T18:20:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T22:20:41","slug":"judge-denies-fani-willis-bid-to-intervene-in-trumps-17-million-attorney-fee-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-denies-fani-willis-bid-to-intervene-in-trumps-17-million-attorney-fee-fight\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge denies Fani Willis bid to intervene in Trump&#8217;s $17 million attorney-fee fight"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjudge-denies-fani-willis-bid-to-intervene-in-trumps-17-million-attorney-fee-fight%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2577896&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A Georgia judge denied Fulton County District Attorney fani Willis\u2019s bid to intervene in the reimbursement dispute over nearly $17 million in attorney fees tied to the collapse of her election-interference case against Donald Trump and several co-defendants. Judge Scott McAfee ruled willis was disqualified from the case and therefore cannot participate in the reimbursement fight, a decision confirmed by Trump\u2019s Georgia defence attorney Steve Sadow. Under a Georgia law enacted last year, criminal defendants may recover attorney fees if the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fani-willis-slams-17-million-legal-fees-demand-from-trump-and-allies\/\" title=\"... from Trump and allies\">prosecuting district attorney<\/a> is disqualified; Trump alone seeks more than $6.2 million, with the total approaching $17 million. Willis argued that forcing her office to cover such costs would strain taxpayers and that expenses like travel and meals were excessive; her disqualification had been upheld by intermediate appellate courts due to an appearance of impropriety from her relationship with a special prosecutor. After Willis\u2019s removal, the case was moved toward dismissal by the Prosecuting Attorneys\u2019 Council of Georgia, and it remains unclear whether she will pursue further appellate review.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Judge rejects Fani Willis bid to intervene in Trump $17 million reimbursement fight<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2501219\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A Georgia judge has denied <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fulton-county\/page\/33\/\">Fulton County<\/a> District Attorney <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fani-willis\/\">Fani Willis<\/a>&rsquo;s attempt to intervene in an effort by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> and his former codefendants to recover&nbsp;nearly $17 million in <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >legal fees&#038;nbsp<\/a>;following the collapse of her election interference case.<\/p>\n<p>Trump&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/georgia\/\">Georgia<\/a> defense attorney Steve Sadow confirmed the ruling in a statement, saying Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee rejected Willis&rsquo;s motion to participate in the reimbursement dispute because she was disqualified from the case.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance\/4483287\/house-gop-leadership-push-reconciliation-2\/\">House GOP leaders begin push for reconciliation 2.0<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4480190\/minnesota-attorney-general-says-was-duped-feeding-future\/\">Minnesota attorney general says he was duped by Feeding Our Future fraudsters: &#8216;They lied to everyone&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis speaks at Turner Chapel AME church Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Marietta, Georgia. (AP Photo\/John Bazemore)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;Judge McAfee has properly denied DA Fani Willis&rsquo; motion to intervene in POTUS&rsquo; action for reimbursement of attorney fees because her disqualification for improper conduct bars Willis and her office from any further participation in this dismissed, lawfare case,&rdquo; Sadow said in a statement to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Trump and several former codefendants are seeking reimbursement under a Georgia law enacted last year that allows criminal defendants to recover attorney fees if the prosecuting district attorney is disqualified from the case.<\/p>\n<p>Trump alone is seeking&nbsp;more than $6.2 million, while fee requests from other defendants push the total reimbursement sought to&nbsp;nearly $17 million, the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4456354\/fani-willis-slams-17-million-fees-from-trump-codefendants\/\">previously reported.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Willis, an elected Democrat, had attempted to intervene in the dispute, warning in court filings that forcing her office to cover the legal costs could consume a significant portion of its annual budget.<\/p>\n<p>Her office argued it &ldquo;has no intention of allowing Fulton County taxpayers&rdquo; to pay what she described as &ldquo;an absurd amount for such an absurd reason,&rdquo; while challenging defendants&rsquo; expenses that included travel, meals, and other costs.<\/p>\n<p>The reimbursement fight stems from the collapse of Willis&rsquo;s racketeering case accusing Trump and 18 allies of attempting to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3925543\/trump-former-codefendants-plan-hold-fani-willis-maximum-legal-accountability\/\">Back in December<\/a>, Trump&rsquo;s former codefendant and lawyer, who helped him contest his 2020 election loss, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2437675\/john-eastman-defends-2020-election-conduct-in-interview-ahead-of-arraignment\/\">John Eastman<\/a>, told the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>that most former defendants whose cases were dismissed were seeking compensation for years of legal work fighting the controversial case.<\/p>\n<p>Georgia&rsquo;s intermediate appeals court upheld McAfee&rsquo;s disqualification of Willis from the prosecution after his finding that her romantic relationship with special prosecutor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4452285\/burt-jones-appointed-committee-subpoenas-nathan-wade-fani-willis-investigation\/\">Nathan Wade<\/a> created an &ldquo;appearance of impropriety.&rdquo; The Georgia Supreme Court later declined to hear her appeal.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4456354\/fani-willis-slams-17-million-fees-from-trump-codefendants\/\">FANI WILLIS SLAMS $17 MILLION LEGAL FEES DEMAND FROM TRUMP AND FORMER CODEFENDANTS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After Willis was removed, the director of the Prosecuting Attorneys&rsquo; Council for Georgia, Peter Skandalakis, assumed control of the case and moved to dismiss the charges, which McAfee granted the day before Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n<p>It remains unclear whether Willis will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-court-denies-trumps-request-to-pause-ny-lawfare-case\/\" title=\"Federal Court Denies Trump&#039;s Request To Pause NY ...\">seek appellate review<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-rules-ca-gov-overstepped-his-authority-with-covid-order-issues-permanent-injunction-restraining-newsom-from-further-issuing-unconstitutional-orders\/\" title=\"Judge Rules CA Gov Overstepped His Authority with Covid Order, Issues Permanent Injunction Restraining Newsom From Further Issuing Unconstitutional Orders\">judge&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s decision denying her intervention in the fight over attorneys&rsquo; fees.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Judge denies Willis bid to join Trump fee-recovery case<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2577897,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25276645580291.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[75437,73753,4977,3634],"class_list":["post-2577896","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-attorneyfees","tag-faniwillis","tag-georgia","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25276645580291.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577896","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2577896"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577896\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2577900,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577896\/revisions\/2577900"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2577897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2577896"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2577896"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2577896"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}