The Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly acknowledged finding “inconsistencies” in how Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is leading a 2020 election interference case against former President Donald Trump and his allies, has managed federal grant funds.
According to The Washington Free Beacon, the DOJ provided the response after the news outlet produced statements showing contradictory assertions concerning awards Willis may have made under the $488,000 federal grant for a Center for Youth Empowerment and Gang Prevention in Atlanta that never opened.
“During our review of the award to respond to this inquiry, we have noticed some inconsistencies in what Fulton County has reported to [the Federal Subaward Reporting System] and we are working with them to update their reporting accordingly,” a DOJ spokesperson told The Free Beacon on Friday.
The report said the Free Beacon’s inquiry focused on subaward payments Willis may have made to the Alabama-based Offender Alumni Association. Although the DOJ initially said the group was not listed as a subgrantee, the agency conceded it made an “error” after the Free Beacon reported it had records from Fulton County showing Willis’ office transferred $88,900 to the association.
Toni Barnett, a director at the Offender Alumni Association, reportedly said she had “no idea” why the county was reporting making the payments to her group in 2022 and 2023. The Free Beacon noted that Willis’ office did not return a request for comment.
Last month, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) warned Willis could face contempt of Congress proceedings if she did not fully comply with a subpoena for records that was issued in February after the Free Beacon published audio of an employee telling Willis about the potential misuse of federal funds weeks before the worker was fired. Willis has rejected suggestions of wrongdoing and, in response to Jordan, rejected the notion that she defied the subpoena while saying she was still providing documents.
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A judge allowed Willis to press forward with her 2020 election case in March after her special prosecutor, Nathan Wade, resigned amid concerns about a romantic relationship between the two. The other option was for Willis herself to step down. Willis requested that an appeals court uphold the ruling after the defense sought a review.
Trump and 18 co-defendants pleaded not guilty in the Georgia election case. Four of them have since taken plea deals. Trump is facing four criminal cases and civil litigation as he runs another campaign seeking a second term in the White House. He has broadly denied wrongdoing and has claimed that prosecutors are engaged in a politically motivated “witch hunt” against him.