Text messages between Nathan Wade's divorce attorney Terrence Bradley and an attorney for one of Donald Trump's co-defendants, often communicated via text message, contained incriminating information about Wade's affair with Fani Willis.
Bradley, Wade's former divorce attorney and law partner, took the witness stand Tuesday where he was shown a series of text messages in which he discussed the history of Willis and Wade's relationship – one of the central themes of the trial.
Michael Roman and other co-defendants in Trump's case are calling for the disqualification of District Attorney Fanni Willis, 53, over what they say is an “inappropriate” relationship.
The full extent of the messages, numbering in the hundreds, was revealed by The Megyn Kelly Show on Wednesday.
In it, Ashleigh Merchant – Roman's lawyer – presses Bradley for information about the affair and even asks her on September 18 if she can get an affidavit, to which Bradley says: “No… no one would willingly burn that bridge.”
Text messages between Nathan Wade's divorce lawyer Terrence Bradley (pictured) and a lawyer for one of Donald Trump's co-defendants, often communicated via text message, contained incriminating information about Wade's affair with Fani Willis
Ashleigh Merchant (pictured) – Roman's lawyer – presses Bradley for information about the affair and even asks on September 18 if she can get an affidavit, to which Bradley says: “No… no one would willingly burn that bridge.”
She asked whether Wade's law partner, Christopher Campbell, would admit to the affair if asked under oath.
“No,” Bradley replies. “He knows but won’t admit it.”
Another series of messages sent on Jan. 5, shortly before Merchant filed a motion seeking the disqualification of the entire Fulton County DA's office, including Wade and Willis, said: “I assume that you knew about the trips” to Bradley.
Defense attorneys said Willis benefited financially from hiring Wade because he paid for the trips they took along with money he earned from the case.
Willis and Wade both testified that they split travel expenses approximately equally.
“I'm not surprised…they've taken a lot of trips to Florida.”Texas. “California,” Bradley said after Merchant clarified that the trips took place as recently as last summer in “May or June.”
Bradley added that they took a trip to California when Willis' daughter dropped out of Florida A&M University and moved to the Golden State.
“I can’t believe they were so careless,” Merchant said. “I’m trying to anticipate their reaction if I blow this up.”
Fulton County Prosecutor Fani Willis (left) is on trial for financial corruption in connection with the hiring of her lover Nathan Wade (right) to prosecute former President Donald Trump in the high-profile election interference case
The full extent of the messages, numbering in the hundreds, was revealed by The Megyn Kelly Show on Wednesday
Another series of messages sent on Jan. 5, shortly before Merchant filed a motion seeking the disqualification of the entire Fulton County DA's office, including Wade and Willis, said: “I assume that you knew about the trips” to Bradley
“I'm not surprised…they've taken a lot of trips to Florida.”Texas. “California,” Bradley said after Merchant clarified that the trips took place as recently as last summer in “May or June.”
“Damned. They had an intense relationship. Crazy. “Just crazy,” said one stunned dealer.
Bradley replies, “He went to help her move.”
“Why she hired him is crazy,” Merchant adds. “Just don’t hire him.”
Soon after, Merchant asks Bradley if he thinks they met before Willis hired Wade.
'Absolutely. “It started when she left the DA's office and became a judge in South Fulton,” Bradley replied. “They met at the City Court CLE conference.”
Merchant said, “That's what I thought when he was married.”
Two hours later, Merchant texted Bradley another question.
“Is that right? According to information and belief, Willis and Wade met while both were serving as judges and began a romantic relationship at that time.
At one point, Merchant asks Bradley if he thinks they met before Willis hired Wade
'Absolutely. “It started when she left the DA's office and became a judge in South Fulton,” Bradley replied
Bradley wrote back simply: “Arrogance.”
Bradley replied: “No magistrates' court,” for which Merchant thanked him, before adding that he might be one of the few people who knew, “not even” Wade's law partner Campbell.
Merchant later promises that she will protect Bradley's identity in the application she plans to submit.
When Bradley was asked by Merchant how they would respond, he said Willis and Wade would “deny it” and not attack Merchant.
“I heard that but didn't mention it because I had no evidence… I'm shocked she paid him so much.” “How could they think they wouldn't get caught!!!” Merchant exclaimed.
In the texts revealed by Kelly, Bradley repeatedly encourages Merchant and tells her she is “the best lawyer I know.”
He even gives her the tip that led to a former friend of Willis, Robin Yeartie, testifying publicly.
“Do an open records request of everyone who was hired when Fani took office and fired around June 2022…if you get that, I can give you the name…she hired a friend. 'Like a best friend.'
Merchant later promises that she will protect Bradley's identity in the application she plans to submit
On Tuesday, Bradley tensed up on the witness stand and repeatedly told the court he “couldn't remember” when asked whether Wade and Willis began their romantic relationship before he was hired to prosecute the former president in Georgia.
Wade's former law partner used the expression on the witness stand more than 10 times, including once when he told the court, “I can't remember if I lied,” when asked about previous statements he made related to the relationship between Wade and Willis.
Bradley's dramatic appearance followed equally dramatic revelations that Wade visited and stayed in Attorney Fani Willis' Georgia neighborhood at least 35 times before she hired him onto the Trump investigation team.
Willis and Wade stuck to the story that they began their romantic relationship in 2022 after he was tapped to join the team investigating Trump's attempt to overturn the election in Georgia. But testimony during the hearing, as well as the evidence presented in court, created several holes in the claim.
Michael Roman, a political strategist and former Trump campaign staffer, and several other co-defendants in Trump's case are trying to get 53-year-old District Attorney Fanni Willis thrown off the case over what they say is an “inappropriate” relationship.
They cite their alleged financial benefit from a “personal, romantic relationship” with special prosecutor Wade, whom they hired to handle the case – at taxpayer expense.
Although Willis and Wade have acknowledged their relationship, they have repeatedly argued that it “does not constitute a disqualifying conflict of interest” and that the relationship “has never resulted in any direct or indirect financial benefit to District Attorney Willis.”