Judge rules Fulton DA can’t question Lt. Governor candidate in special grand jury
ATLANTA – A judge disqualified the Fulton County District Attorney’s office from questioning Burt Jones as part of an investigation into possible interference with the November 2020 presidential election.
Judge Robert McBurney ruled in favor of a motion filed by the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor asking the courts to disqualify Fani Willis.
WSB Radio legal analyst Phil Holloway told Channel 2’s Dave Huddleston that the ruling could have broader implications.
“This whole investigation has been criticized by a lot of people as a political witch hunt,” Holloway said.
That’s basically what McBurney said in the ruling.
Jones expressed concern about being questioned by Willis because she held a fundraiser for her opponent. Holloway said that could apply to other people who were subpoenaed.
“They’re not Mr. Jones, but they’re in a similar situation, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the appeals court or the Georgia Supreme Court apply the same reasoning because they’re in a similar situation,” Holloway said.
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Willis could have a separate question from the prosecutor to Jones.
Huddleston reached out to Willis’ office to see if he plans to appeal. They told Huddleston not at this time and that they are considering their options.
Meanwhile, Gov. Brian Kemp testified before the special grand jury on Monday.
“I’ve been practicing law for 23, 24 years, and this is the first time in my career that I can remember a sitting governor testifying in an investigative grand jury,” Holloway said.
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In the subpoena to the governor, he was to provide all written, audio and video that explained and provided context to the events of the presidential election. Holloway says no one is above the law.
“I’m not aware of anything under Georgia law that exempts or gives any kind of privilege to a governor from not testifying,” Holloway said.
Huddleston reached out to the governor’s office for comment Monday. Kemp’s office said it will not comment on legal proceedings until the investigation is done.
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