Fani Willis Grilled on Billing Practices and Special Prosecutor Hiring

Justification for Special Assistant District Attorneys

• 💡 Fani Willis explained that her office was "drowning" in cases, necessitating the hiring of special assistant DAs at $250/hour.
• 🎯 She stated that her existing staff were occupied with major projects like the Kennedy Maxie and Seoria Turner cases, the Special Victims Division, and clearing backlogs of murders and new cases.
• 🔑 The decision to hire external counsel was based on the need for a lawyer to manage the team while she handled other responsibilities, and that no internal candidate or lower-paid external hire could manage the election interference case.

Attorney Compensation and Experience

• 💰 Willis contrasted the $250/hour rate for special assistants with the annual salaries of her in-house attorneys, ranging from $85,000 to $200,000, noting that the lower end was often tied to specific grants.
• ⚖️ She defended the $250/hour rate as an "insult" for experienced lawyers, especially when compared to the high salaries in private civil firms.
• 📈 When asked about the experience level of her top-paid in-house attorneys ($200,000/year plus benefits, equating to ~$125/hour), she stated they had 20 years of practice or more, but were already assigned major tasks.

Special Assistant DA Selection and Experience

• 🧑‍⚖️ Willis identified three special assistant DAs: Mr. Wade, John Floyd (a RICO expert), and Anna Cross (skilled in law and writing).
• ❓ She expressed uncertainty about Mr. Wade's prior experience prosecuting RICO cases but emphasized her authority to make hiring decisions based on the needs of the case.
• 🤝 The selection of these attorneys was described as intentional for diversity, with each bringing unique expertise to the election interference case.

Billing Practices and Invoices

• 🚫 Willis stated she does not review invoices personally and has no firsthand knowledge of the review process, deferring to a deputy of operations and the county for approval.
• 🧐 When questioned about "block billing," she dismissed the concept as something discussed by someone who "didn't know what the hell they were talking about," referencing a prior incident involving "Miss Merchant."
• 📊 She defended the billing of special assistants, noting that Mr. Wade was the first in the office and left last, mentoring staff, and that their rates were a "bargain basement amount" compared to other public service expenditures.

Comparison to Attorney General's Office Spending

• 💸 Willis provided figures showing the Georgia Attorney General's office spent significantly more on special prosecutors, exceeding $50 million annually in recent years, with top recipients earning millions.
• 🗣️ She contrasted these large sums with the "pennies" being discussed regarding her office's billing, implying her spending was more reasonable in comparison.
• 📢 She also highlighted personal threats and racial slurs she has faced, questioning why the legislature focuses on her billing rather than these issues.