President Donald Trump has filed a request in a Georgia state court seeking reimbursement of over $6.2 million in legal fees incurred while contesting charges related to his alleged interference in the 2020 presidential election. This request was made on Wednesday, following the dismissal of the case against him and several co-defendants.
In a legal filing, Trump’s attorneys argued that he is entitled to these fees under a law enacted in May 2023, which mandates that courts award reasonable attorney fees to defendants whose charges are dropped after the disqualification of the prosecuting attorney for improper conduct. The motion specifically references the disqualification of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who had been leading the prosecution.
The case against Trump and 18 other co-defendants was a result of allegations involving a criminal conspiracy aimed at overturning Georgia’s election results. These allegations gained traction after a recording surfaced in which Trump allegedly urged Georgia’s Secretary of State to “find” enough votes to change the outcome. All defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The court’s decision to remove Willis from the case in 2024 was based on findings that she had fostered an “appearance of impropriety” due to a personal relationship with the special prosecutor appointed to the case. This ruling prompted the dismissal of the charges filed in Fulton County Superior Court in November.
Trump’s attorney, Steve Sadow, stated, “In accordance with Georgia law, President Trump has moved the Court to award reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in his defense of the politically motivated, and now rightfully dismissed, case brought by disqualified DA Fani Willis.” The Fulton County District Attorney’s office has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding Trump’s filing.
Additionally, other defendants, including former Trump lawyers John Eastman and Robert Cheeley, have also sought to recover legal fees from the court. Their legal teams have not provided immediate responses to inquiries about their requests.
This case highlights the ongoing legal battles facing Trump and his associates as they navigate the complex landscape of election-related litigation. As developments unfold, the implications of the court’s decisions will likely have lasting effects on the legal framework surrounding political prosecutions in Georgia and beyond.
