History of Fani Willis in Timeline
Fani Taifa Willis is the first female District Attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, a position she has held since 2021. Her jurisdiction includes most of Atlanta. Willis gained national prominence for her investigation into alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. This investigation led to the indictment of former President Donald Trump and 18 alleged co-conspirators on charges including racketeering.
October 27, 1971: Fani Willis is born
Fani Taifa Willis was born on October 27, 1971.
1989: Regina High School Closes
In 1989, Fani Willis' alma mater, Regina High School, an all-girls Catholic school in Maryland, shut down.
1993: Willis Graduates from Howard University
Fani Willis graduated with honors from Howard University in 1993 with a degree in political science.
1996: Willis Marries Fred Willis
Fani Willis married Fred Willis in 1996.
1996: Willis Earns Law Degree from Emory University
Fani Willis obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Emory University School of Law in 1996.
2005: Willis and Fred Willis Divorce
Fani Willis and Fred Willis divorced in 2005.
2014: Willis Leads Prosecution in Atlanta Public Schools Cheating Scandal
Starting in 2014, Fani Willis served as the lead prosecutor in the trial against twelve educators accused of manipulating student test answers in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal.
April 2015: Eleven Educators Convicted in Atlanta Public Schools Cheating Scandal
Eleven out of twelve educators were found guilty of racketeering under Georgia's RICO statute in April 2015 for their involvement in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal.
2018: Willis Enters Private Practice and Runs for Superior Court
In 2018, Fani Willis transitioned into private practice and unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Fulton County Superior Court.
2019: Willis Appointed Chief Municipal Judge
In 2019, Fani Willis was appointed as the Chief Municipal Judge for South Fulton, Georgia.
2020: Willis Investigates the 2020 Presidential Election in Georgia
In 2020, Fani Willis launched an investigation into potential interference in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.
2020: Willis Elected Fulton County District Attorney
In 2020, Fani Willis was elected as the District Attorney for Fulton County, defeating the incumbent Paul Howard Jr.
2020: Biden Wins Georgia in 2020 Election
Joe Biden won the state of Georgia in the 2020 presidential election.
February 10, 2021: Willis Initiates Investigation into Trump's Election Interference
On February 10, 2021, Fani Willis commenced a criminal investigation into Donald Trump's attempts to influence Georgia election officials to alter the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in his favor.
2021: Willis Becomes Fulton County District Attorney
In 2021, Fani Willis assumed the role of District Attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, becoming the first woman to hold the position.
January 2022: Willis Seeks Special Grand Jury for Election Interference Investigation
In January 2022, Fani Willis requested the formation of a special grand jury to examine potential charges of election interference against Donald Trump and his associates.
May 2022: Young Thug Indicted on Gang-Related Charges
In May 2022, Young Thug was indicted by Fani Willis' office on 56 counts of gang-related crimes under Georgia's RICO statute, along with felony charges related to the possession of firearms and drugs.
2022: Employee Alleges Misuse of Funds by Willis
In 2022, an employee of the Fulton County District Attorney's Office accused Fani Willis of dismissing her for exposing plans to improperly use federal grant money.
January 9, 2023: Special Grand Jury Completes Work on Trump Election Interference Investigation
On January 9, 2023, the special grand jury tasked with investigating potential election interference by Donald Trump and his allies concluded its work and was disbanded.
August 14, 2023: Trump and 18 Others Indicted in Georgia Election Interference Case
On August 14, 2023, Fani Willis' office formally charged Donald Trump and 18 others with a total of 41 offenses, including 13 charges against Trump, in connection with alleged efforts to interfere with the 2020 Georgia election.
November 27, 2023: Young Thug's Trial Begins
The trial of rapper Young Thug, indicted by Fani Willis' office on gang-related charges, began on November 27, 2023.
2023: Willis Utilizes RICO Statute to Prosecute Non-Mobsters, Including Donald Trump
As of 2023, Fani Willis has gained recognition for her successful application of Georgia's RICO statute to prosecute individuals outside of organized crime, including former president Donald Trump and 18 alleged co-conspirators.
January 8, 2024: Defendant Seeks Dismissal of Indictment and Disqualification of Willis
On January 8, 2024, a defendant in the RICO case filed a motion to dismiss the charges and disqualify Fani Willis and her office from prosecuting the case, alleging a conflict of interest due to Willis' personal relationship with lead prosecutor Nathan Wade.
February 15, 2024: Evidentiary Hearing Begins on Willis' Potential Conflict of Interest
On February 15, 2024, an evidentiary hearing commenced under the supervision of Judge Scott F. McAfee to examine the allegations of a conflict of interest involving Fani Willis and her relationship with lead prosecutor Nathan Wade.
March 15, 2024: Judge Rules on Willis' Conflict of Interest, Wade Resigns
On March 15, 2024, Judge Scott F. McAfee ruled that either Fani Willis and her office or Nathan Wade must withdraw from the RICO case due to their relationship creating a "significant appearance of impropriety." Despite finding no evidence of financial benefit, he deemed the relationship a conflict of interest. Nathan Wade resigned from the case a few hours later to expedite the case's progress.
May 2024: Georgia Court of Appeals to Review Willis' Conflict of Interest Ruling
In May 2024, the Georgia Court of Appeals agreed to review the ruling regarding Fani Willis' alleged conflict of interest, reconsidering whether Willis can remain involved in the RICO case.
2024: Judge McAfee Quashes Some Charges in Trump Election Case
In 2024, Judge Scott McAfee dismissed six charges in the election interference case against Donald Trump and others, including three charges against Trump, while granting prosecutors the possibility to refile these charges.
2024: House Judiciary Committee Subpoenas Willis
In 2024, the House Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena to Fani Willis in relation to a whistleblower complaint filed by a former employee, alleging misuse of federal funds.
