Georgia DA refuses to share Jack Smith, Jan. 6 documents, calling for conservatives

The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office this week refused to release any new communications between District Attorney Fani Willis and outgoing Trump Special Counsel Jack Smith, asserting in a new court filing that the documents do not exist or are exempt from disclosure under Georgia law. .

The update was shared Tuesday by Judicial Watch, the hardline legal group that sued Willis in March after his office denied having records of communications between Willis and Smith or between Willis and the House Committee on Jan. 6.

HOUSE JUDGES INVESTIGATE FULTON COUNTY DA FANI WILLIS ‘INVOLVED’ WITH JAN 6 COMMITTEE

Both Smith and the House Select Committee have been investigating alleged efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election — putting their investigation squarely in the crosshairs of Judicial Watch and other conservative activists.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ordered Willis on Monday to release any records of his communications with Smith or the House Select Committee on Jan. 6 within five business days, which is consistent with Judicial Watch in determining whether Willis has indeed violated federal records law. for failing to answer the case.

(Willis, on the other hand, said he was not well served by the group.)

The Fulton County Open Records Department seems to disagree. In a new filing this week, they said their staff had “diligently investigated” but had not found any records of documents or communications between Willis and Smith, a special counsel appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022 to oversee the two investigations. alleged actions by former president Donald Trump.

Attorney General Merrick Garland testifies during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Department of Justice, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

In addition, the staff of the Department of Open Records asserted that, any records or documents between Willis and the Select Committee of the House on Jan. 6 are no longer “legally exempt” or “excluded from disclosure” to Judicial Watch under the Georgia Open Records Law, which itself is protective. against the release of documents or records arising from the investigation, subsequent indictment, or prosecution in the ongoing case against Trump and his associates.

The filing comes as Willis’ actions are being scrutinized by Republican lawmakers and conservative nonprofit groups.

Members of the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee said Willis asked the House Select Committee on Jan. 6 to share information with his office, prompting further scrutiny of those communications.

TRUMP HEADED TO FULTON COUNTY JAIL AFTER RULE FROM 2020 ELECTION

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is on the floor to begin hearings on Capitol Hill. (Drew Anger/Getty Images) (Drew Anger/Getty Images)

Trump and 18 others pleaded not guilty in Fulton County last year to all charges stemming from the filing of fraud charges filed by the DA’s office, which accuses them of trying to overturn the results of the presidential election.

The charges against Trump in Georgia have been stayed after his lawyers filed a motion to have Willis removed from the case, citing a conflict of interest.

What is important is that the charges against Trump in the state have not been officially dropped despite his election as president.

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The nature of the case comes as Smith recused himself from all federal court cases against Trump following his 2024 election victory and a longstanding Justice Department policy barring U.S. prosecutors from indicting the president on criminal charges.

Fox News Digital’s Haley Chi-Sing contributed to this report.