A Georgia judge has rejected an attempt by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to intervene in a legal dispute involving millions of dollars in attorney fees connected to the now-dismissed racketeering case against President Donald Trump and several co-defendants. The decision marks another setback for Willis after her removal from the high-profile case in 2024.
The dispute centers on whether Trump and other former defendants can recover legal costs under a new Georgia law that allows defendants to claim compensation if a prosecutor is disqualified due to improper conduct.
Judge Rejects Fani Willis’ Attempt to Intervene
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Fani Willis cannot intervene in the case related to attorney fee reimbursement.
In his ruling, McAfee explained that Willis was completely disqualified from the original prosecution. Because of that disqualification, she is not allowed to participate in related legal proceedings involving the same case.
The judge stated clearly in his order that the motion to intervene was denied.
The ruling means Willis will not be able to challenge or directly argue against the claims for legal costs being sought by the defendants.
Millions in Legal Fees Claimed by Trump and Co-Defendants
President Donald Trump and several other defendants have filed motions seeking reimbursement for their legal expenses after the racketeering case was dismissed.
Trump’s legal team submitted approximately 200 pages of invoices detailing legal work performed during the defense of the case.
According to the filings:
| Claim Details | Amount |
|---|---|
| Trump’s legal team expenses | About $6.26 million |
| Other defendants’ claims | About $10.79 million |
| Total combined claims | Around $16.85 million |
The requests are based on a Georgia law passed in 2025 that allows defendants to recover costs if a prosecutor is disqualified for misconduct.
Background of the Georgia RICO Case
The legal dispute stems from the racketeering (RICO) case brought by the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office against Trump and several others over alleged election interference.
However, the prosecution faced major setbacks in 2024 when questions about Willis’ conduct led to her removal from the case.
Although the case technically remained active for some time in the appeals process, progress had largely stalled.
In November 2025, the case was officially dismissed in what prosecutors described as the “interests of justice.”
The dismissal cleared the path for defendants to pursue reimbursement of their legal expenses.
New Georgia Law Allows Defendants to Seek Compensation
The claims for legal fees rely on a recently passed Georgia law known as SB 224.
The law was approved by the Georgia state legislature in 2025. It allows defendants to seek compensation when a prosecutor is removed from a case due to improper conduct.
Supporters of the legislation said it was designed to protect defendants from wrongful prosecutions that collapse due to prosecutorial misconduct.
Trump’s attorneys argue that all requirements of the law have been met.
According to their motion:
- The prosecutor was disqualified for improper conduct
- The criminal case was dismissed
- The case was still active when the law took effect
Because of these conditions, they say reimbursement should be granted.
Willis Argued She Should Be Allowed to Challenge Fees
Fani Willis had asked the court to pause the proceedings and allow her office to participate.
She argued that the new law does not clearly explain the process for handling reimbursement claims. According to Willis, the law only mentions that the issue should be decided through a bench trial.
She also argued that excluding her office from the proceedings could violate basic due process principles because she would not have the chance to challenge the size or legitimacy of the requested legal fees.
However, the judge rejected those arguments.
Fulton County Allowed to Participate in the Case
Although Willis cannot intervene, the court ruled that Fulton County itself can take part in the proceedings.
Judge McAfee explained that the county provides most of the funding for the district attorney’s office. Because of that, the financial impact of any reimbursement ruling would likely affect the county government.
As a result, Fulton County may intervene to protect its financial interests.
The Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council will also represent the interests of the district attorney’s office during the hearings.
Court Says Case Involves Uncharted Legal Territory
Judge McAfee acknowledged that the situation is unusual and involves a relatively new law.
He noted that the legal questions involved are largely untested and described the situation as one where “novelty abounds.”
Because the law has not yet been widely interpreted by courts, the upcoming hearings may set important legal precedents.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
The court will now hold evidentiary hearings to determine whether the claimed legal costs are reasonable.
Each defendant’s request will be reviewed separately, starting with the earliest filed claims.
Trump’s lead attorney in the case, Steve Sadow, welcomed the judge’s ruling. He said Willis’ disqualification should prevent her office from participating in the reimbursement dispute.
The final decision on whether the defendants will receive the requested $16.85 million in legal fees will ultimately be made by the judge after reviewing all the evidence presented.
