Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been replaced in the President Donald Trump election interfererence case in Georgia by the Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys Council’s Executive Director Peter J. Skandalakis. File Photo by Alex Slitz/EPA
Nov. 14 (UPI) — The Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys Council announced a replacement for Fani Willis as the prosecutor in the election interference case against President Donald Trump and 14 others charged.
PAC Executive Director Peter J. Skandalakis announced on Friday, that he would prosecute the case because the group couldn’t find anyone to take it up.
“Several prosecutors were contacted and, while all were respectful and professional, each declined the appointment,” he said in the announcement. “Out of respect for their privacy and professional discretion, I will not identify those prosecutors or disclose their reasons for declining.”
In September, the Georgia Supreme Court denied Willis’ attempt to continue in the case. It refused to hear her appeal of a lower court’s decision to disqualify her because of “impropriety.” She had a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor in the case.
Another reason he chose to prosecute the case is that he has some familiarity with the case file. The documents he received to review included 101 banker boxes of documents and an 8-terabyte hard drive, which he hasn’t had the time to fully read.
Some of the others charged include former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani.
On Nov. 7, Trump pardoned 77 people, including those involved in the Georgia case.
Skandalakis said the pardons don’t apply to state charges, only federal ones. “Therefore, the task before my office remains unchanged,” he said.
Trump’s attorney Steve Sadow said the “politically charged prosecution has come to an end.”
“We remain confident that a fair and impartial review will lead to a dismissal of the case against President Trump,” Sadow said.
Skandalakis noted the importance of the case.
“I am keenly aware that this matter has been of significant public interest since January 2021, when District Attorney Fani Willis announced the initiation of the investigation,” he said in a statement. “My only objective is to ensure that this case is handled properly, fairly, and with full transparency discharging my duties without fear, favor, or affection.”