In early January, President Trump filed a motion demanding Fulton County pay $6,2M in legal fees, potentially draining 25% of the District Attorney’s annual budget. This extraordinary demand stems from a law passed just last year, specifically crafted for situations like his. The case evaporated after a replacement prosecutor concluded it was “essentially federal in nature” and lacked sufficient racketeering evidence. The financial fallout is only starting to surface.
The Mug Shot That Defined The Case
On August 14, 2023, a grand jury indicted Trump and 18 others on racketeering charges tied to efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 results. The 98-page indictment listed 161 actions prosecutors said furthered the scheme. Trump faced 13 felony counts. Defendants surrendered and were booked, and Trump’s mug shot became the image everyone remembered. Then internal turmoil began.
A Relationship Becomes The Turning Point
In January 2024, defense attorneys revealed Fulton County DA Fani Willis had a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she hired to lead the case. Wade received over $650,000 and allegedly used earnings for trips with Willis. Cell phone records showed 2,000 voice calls in 2021 alone. The conflict claims shifted headlines fast. Would it derail everything?
A Judge Calls It A “Lapse”
During a February 2024 hearing, Willis and Wade testified about their relationship, saying it began after Wade was hired. Judge Scott McAfee criticized Willis for a “tremendous lapse in judgment” but allowed her to stay if Wade resigned. Wade stepped down hours later. Defense attorneys appealed, arguing the damage was irreversible. Higher courts soon weighed appearances differently.
Appeals Judges Say Optics Matter
In December 2024, Georgia’s Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that Willis must be removed, citing an “appearance of impropriety.” The panel stated that optics alone necessitated disqualification. Willis appealed to Georgia’s Supreme Court in January 2025. On September 16, the court declined review by a 4-3 vote. With Willis out permanently, prosecutors faced a logistical nightmare.
The Replacement Search Hits A Wall
Pete Skandalakis of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council was tasked with finding a new prosecutor. “Several prosecutors were contacted and, while all were respectful and professional, each declined the appointment,” he said. Near a November 14 deadline, Skandalakis appointed himself. He inherited 101 boxes and an 8-terabyte hard drive of evidence. What he concluded stunned both sides.
The Case Gets Dismissed, Then The Bill Arrives
On November 26, 2025, Skandalakis moved to dismiss the entire case. Less than 2 weeks later, Trump sought repayment. On Wednesday, January 8, 2026, he filed for $6,261,613.08 in fees and costs. His lawyer, Steve Sadow, cited a new Georgia law tied to disqualification and dismissal. Taxpayers were suddenly in the crosshairs.
A Budget Hit Few Counties Could Absorb
Fulton County’s DA office runs on a $40.4 million annual budget. Trump’s demand equals nearly 16% of that total. Combined with the co-defendant’s requests, estimated at $10-15 million, the exposure approaches 25% of the office’s operating budget. Chairman Robb Pitts warned fees could explode with “$1,000 plus lawyers per hour.” The final tab remains unknown.
The New Law That Opened The Door
Georgia passed Senate Bill 244, which was signed into law on May 14, 2025. It lets defendants recover “all reasonable attorney’s fees and costs” if a prosecutor is disqualified for improper conduct and the case is dismissed. Defendants have 45 days to file. The judge decides “reasonableness,” and payment comes from the prosecutor’s office budget. That puts Judge McAfee at the center.
A Sponsor Said The Quiet Part Out Loud
State Senator Brandon Beach sponsored SB 244 and acknowledged it was designed with Trump’s Georgia case in mind. “When you think about somebody getting indicted, it’s somewhat of a scarlet letter. It can ruin your life, and definitely cost you a lot in attorney’s fees to defend yourself,” Beach said. The bill passed 35-18, sparking Democratic warnings of political protection.
Willis Challenges The Law’s Constitutionality
Willis’s office argues SB 244 is unconstitutional, saying it “raises grave separation of powers concerns by purporting to impose financial liability on a constitutional officer, twice elected by the citizens of Fulton County.” They also argue retroactive fee shifting violates due process. Willis maintains the case followed years of investigation and grand jury review. The fight could stretch far beyond 1 ruling.
Co-Defendants Want Their Money Too
Trump is not alone seeking reimbursement. At least 2 co-defendants, John Eastman and Robert Cheeley, have also filed fee requests. If multiple defendants win, exposure could rise into “tens of millions,” some attorneys warn. The Georgia Republican Party previously paid about $2 million in legal fees for some defendants. Fulton County now faces compounding financial pressure.
Why Skandalakis Said He Walked Away
In his dismissal motion, Skandalakis wrote: “The criminal conduct alleged in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit’s prosecution was conceived in Washington, D.C., not the State of Georgia. The federal government is the appropriate venue”. He said if Special Counsel Jack Smith found the case unproductive, a state effort would be too. Critics disputed that logic, pointing back to the original allegations.
The Indictment’s Sweeping 161 Allegations
The indictment listed 161 actions prosecutors said advanced the conspiracy. It included Trump’s January 2, 2021 call urging Brad Raffensperger to “find 11,780 votes.” It cited false electors, harassment of Ruby Freeman, and access to Coffee County systems. Four defendants pled guilty: Chesebro, Powell, Hall, and Ellis. Those pleas seemed to validate core claims, but the case collapsed anyway.
Ruby Freeman’s Life After The Accusations
Ruby Freeman became central after Trump accused her of fraud during the Raffensperger call. He called her a “vote scammer” and promoted claims about suitcases of ballots. Harassment followed, including racist threats like “Be glad it’s 2020 and not 1920”. Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss reported relentless intimidation. The case dismissal left their ordeal without the closure many expected.
The Coffee County Breach That Lingered
Four defendants faced charges tied to unauthorized access to Coffee County voting systems in January 2021. Surveillance showed operatives copying election software and hard drives without authorization. Copied data included ballot images, software, and voter information. Records said it spread to “more than a dozen individuals” across states. Experts warned it endangered future elections nationwide. Accountability now looks far less certain.
The Fake Electors Plan Across 7 States
Trump allies organized false electors in 7 states on December 14, 2020, despite Biden’s win. In Georgia, 16 electors signed certificates claiming Trump won. Shawn Still, David Shafer, and Cathy Latham were charged. Prosecutors said Kenneth Chesebro devised the plan and Rudy Giuliani coordinated. The certificates went to the National Archives and Congress. Chesebro’s plea added documentation, yet broader consequences faded.
Guilty Pleas That Became Legal Oddities
Despite 4 guilty pleas in 2023, the prosecution unraveled in 2024. Chesebro pled October 20, Powell October 19, Hall September 29, and Ellis October 24. All accepted probation, fines, community service, and cooperation terms. When Willis was disqualified and the case dismissed, those pleas became strange leftovers in a dead prosecution. How does a system explain convictions when the main case vanishes?
The Decision That Could Redraw Prosecution Risk
Judge McAfee must decide whether Trump’s $6.2 million request is “reasonable” under SB 244. If approved, it comes from the DA office budget funded by taxpayers. Other requests could push totals beyond $20 million. Willis’s challenge to SB 244 could delay everything or overturn the law. Georgia’s accountability system shifted without a verdict, but will other states take note?
Sources:
Georgia Court of Appeals decision disqualifying Fani Willis. Georgia Court of Appeals, December 2024
Senate Bill 244. Georgia General Assembly, May 14, 2025
Order declining review of Willis appeal. Supreme Court of Georgia, September 16, 2025
Motion to dismiss State of Georgia v. Donald J. Trump. Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, November 26, 2025
Motion for attorney fees and costs. Fulton County Superior Court filing, January 8, 2026