An attorney's successful bid to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from prosecuting former President Donald Trump has sparked new developments in the high-profile case.

According to Daily Caller, attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who represented Trump co-defendant Mike Roman, expects the incoming Justice Department to launch an investigation into Willis following her disqualification from the case.

The Georgia Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday that Willis must step down from prosecuting the case against Trump.

This decision came after months of legal battles stemming from allegations about Willis's romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade and questions about financial impropriety.

Legal Battle Reveals Complex Ethical Questions

Willis faced scrutiny after Merchant filed a motion in January alleging that the district attorney financially benefited from improperly appointing Wade as special prosecutor.

The motion highlighted vacations Wade financed using money earned from his position. Judge Scott McAfee acknowledged in March that the relationship created a significant appearance of impropriety.

Merchant told the Daily Caller News Foundation that securing evidence and witnesses required extensive effort. The legal team encountered resistance at every turn, having to fight for hearings, subpoenas, and the right to call witnesses.

The case took an additional turn when Willis made public statements at a church that were later proven false. She claimed to pay all special prosecutors the same hourly rate, suggesting criticism was racially motivated.

However, contracts revealed Wade initially received higher compensation than other attorneys, including Georgia's top racketeering expert.

Financial Disclosures Raise Further Questions

Willis's 2022 financial disclosure forms came under scrutiny when she failed to report any gifts from Wade despite evidence of shared vacations and expenses. The pair claimed they divided costs equally, with Willis reimbursing Wade in cash.

Merchant said about Willis's conduct:

She's trying to create this idea that she's this constitutional officer and doesn't have to play by any of the legal rules. And that's not how it works.

Willis's credibility suffered additional damage during a February evidentiary hearing. Judge McAfee noted reasonable questions existed about the honesty of both Willis and Wade regarding their relationship's timeline.

Pattern of Non-Compliance Emerges

Willis's actions following the initial controversy have created additional legal exposure. She has consistently refused to cooperate with various investigative bodies and court orders. In September, she defied a state senate investigative committee subpoena.

The district attorney has repeatedly declined to comply with House Judiciary Committee document requests. Despite a court order in a Judicial Watch open records lawsuit, Willis has not produced documents related to communications with Special Counsel Jack Smith and the House January 6 committee.

These actions have prompted increased scrutiny of Willis's conduct and raised questions about her adherence to legal obligations. Legal experts suggest this pattern of behavior could factor into potential future investigations.

Case Resolution Points To Deeper Issues

The disqualification of Willis from the Trump case represents a significant shift in one of the most watched legal battles in recent history. The Georgia Court of Appeals decision validates concerns raised by Merchant and others about ethical conduct in the prosecution.

The implications extend beyond the immediate case, potentially affecting how similar prosecutorial conflicts of interest are handled in the future. Questions about accountability and oversight of elected prosecutors have moved to the forefront of legal discussions.

Looking ahead, the possibility of a Justice Department investigation could bring additional scrutiny to the intersection of professional and personal relationships in high-profile prosecutions.