500+ SITTING IN FULTON COUNTY, JAILS RIGHT NOW
MERCHANT LAW FIRM VS FANI WILLIS
WHEN ASKED HOW SHE HAD APPROPRIATED MILLIONS OF FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA FUNDS, FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA DISTRICT ATTORNEY FANI WILLIS SAID THAT AS A CONSTITUTIONALLY ELECTED OFFICIAL – SHE ANSWERS TO NO ONE!
BY THE LEGAL EAGLE
The YSL RICO trial has brought international attention to a Fulton County Georgia court room for the worst possible reasons. Most people are focusing attention on whether the trial is about “YSL being a gang versus a Music Label.”
The case has nothing to do with gangs or music. The case has to do with corruption at the highest possible levels.
“The case primarily concerns pre-charge detentions that can extend indefinitely. While the duration a person can be held without formal charges varies, in Fulton County, Georgia, indefinite custody is common. Typically, detainees should be indicted within 90 days.”
“However, there have been reports in Fulton County, Georgia, of individuals being held in custody for up to five years without ever being charged or appearing before a judge.”
“People incarcerated for extended periods without being charged contribute to the disparity where, although Black individuals make up only 43.39% of Fulton County’s population, they represent 87% of the population in the Fulton County Jail.”
“That 87% of the Black prison population often lack the financial resources to hire a lawyer to challenge the system.”
JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED
The right to a speedy trial is a protected constitutional right for every American in the United States. Under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution – prolonged detentions without charges can be challenged in court.
As of the latest reports, Fulton County Georgia still has a significant number of individuals in custody who have never been formally charged. Fulton County alone is holding 503 individuals in custody for over 90 days without formal charges right now!
The Department of Justice awarded Fulton County, Georgia with one grant of $75,000,000 to cure their backlog problem (that was only one of the awards, there were probably many more).
Historically throughout this case, whenever young men were accused of being YSL gang members, they preferred to sign a plea deal rather than sit in a Fulton County jail cell indefinitely because Black men in Fulton County believe that accepting a public defender is like having no lawyer at all. Whenever one of these young men stated that having a public defender “was useless,” Judge Ural Glanville would shut them down immediately. Glanville’s arrogance and lack of knowledge of the law got him recused and replaced by Judge Whitaker but she’s now shutting anyone down that says anything against the District Attorney or the Prosecutors.
GLANVILLE FINALLY REPLACED BY WHITAKER – SAME PROBLEM
The situation involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and the Department of Justice (DOJ) grants has garnered significant negative attention from all over the world because the case is being viewed live online.
Fani Willis has denied any wrongdoing, stating that Ms. Timpson, originally the Youth Program’s Director was terminated for poor job performance. But enough people in both Congress and the DOJ continue to scrutinize the manner in which the grant funds are actually used in Fulton County.
Grant Details: The DOJ awarded Fulton County a grant of approximately $488,594 in 2020 to fund a youth center aimed at gang prevention and youth empowerment (which was never built). That was only one of the many DOJ grants awarded to Fulton County (see chart below).
Allegations: Amanda Timpson, a former employee of the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, testified that she was fired after raising concerns about the misuse of the grant funds. Timpson claimed that the funds were being used for unauthorized expenses such as “swag, computers, and travel (and she was right).
DOJ Findings: The DOJ found inconsistencies in how the grant funds were reported and used. The DOJ is currently working with Fulton County to correct these discrepancies but is now interested in all the funding that’s gone to Fulton County and how it has been spent.
DOJ ANTI GANG FUNDS WERE RECEIVED BUT CENTER WAS NEVER BUILT
The backlog of cases and prolonged incarceration without trial is indeed a serious issue. Here are some key points based on recent information:
Federal Funding: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis received federal funds intended to help clear the backlog of cases. One of those grants by itself was $75,000,000. However, there have been concerns and investigations into how these funds were accepted, utilized or worse – accepted, then utilized inappropriately for other purposes entirely.
TOTAL DEFIANCE BY WILLIS – ALL FULTON COUNTY JUDGES RECUSED THEMSELVES (ALL)
“Fani Willis was subpoenaed to appear before the Senate Legislature to explain the funding discrepancies of Fulton County financial records. She defied the subpoena and refused to appear. Instead, she sent a message through her lawyer, former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, that she does not recognize the legislature’s authority.
Incarceration Without Trial: The issue of individuals being held for extended periods without trial is a significant violation of the right to a speedy trial. Some individuals have reportedly been incarcerated for up to five years.
Use of Discretion: Fani Willis says that she appropriates federal funds according to her discretion and that as a constitutionally elected state official – she answers to no one and has complete immunity from oversight.
Fani Willis’ stubbornness and intransigence has raised questions and led to scrutiny from various bodies, including the Department of Justice and the House Judiciary Committee.
EVERYONE IS ACCOUNTABLE WHEN SPENDING TAXPAYER MONEY
Fani Willis, as a constitutionally elected official, does have a degree of autonomy in her role. However, this does not mean she is entirely unaccountable. Elected officials, including district attorneys, are subject to oversight and can be investigated for misconduct or misuse of funds.
Fani Willis is full of lofty ideas. In her mind, she is above the law and like she says “I answer to no one.” That criminal grin will be smacked off her face.
The Georgia Constitution emphasizes that public officers are trustees and servants of the people and are at all times amenable to them.
Currently, both Congress and the Georgia Senate investigative committee are looking into allegations against Willis, particularly concerning her handling of funds and other alleged misconduct. Despite her claims of autonomy, these investigations indicate that there are mechanisms in place to hold her accountable.
Willis has challenged the legality of the subpoenas issued by the Georgia Senate committee, arguing that they are invalid. This legal battle underscores the tension between her perceived autonomy and the oversight responsibilities of legislative bodies. District Attorneys have to report every time their employees at any level, collect money from people. The Senate Committee and Congress want to learn how many times Fani Willis has filled out the Civil Forfeiture form to let the government know how much they’ve collected.
CIVIL FORFEITURE FUNDS TAKE MILLIONS FROM CIVILIANS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA
FDERAL CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE – UNJUSTIFIED CONFISCATION OF TRAVELER’S CASH
Far more important male and female members of both the Congress and the Senate are serving time in America’s prisons right now or lost their positions in their entirety. James Traficant, Randy Duke, Tom DeLay, Bob Ney, Larry Craig, Chris Collins, Katie Hill, Al Franken (was a comedian turned politician), Bob Menendez and his wife, all thought they were above the law. They too felt they were immune from questioning. Each of these politicians had a false sense of autonomy.
Another Constitutionally elected official from Fulton County, Georgia also says that he accounts to no one as to how he appropriates funds earmarked for the jail. He too is in a similar position to Fani Willis now. His jailers all walked out yesterday.
In summary, while Fani Willis does have significant independence as a district attorney, she is not beyond scrutiny or accountability. The ongoing investigations by Congress and the Georgia Senate demonstrate that there are checks and balances in place to address potential misconduct by elected officials.
Fulton County Sheriff’s private security officers walked out of the Fulton County Jail due to non payment https://snn.bz/humanity/fulton-county-jail-walk-out/
