District Attorney Fani Willis is expected to defy a Georgia state Senate subpoena for her testimony ahead of a hearing on Friday, Fox News Digital has learned.
The Senate Special Investigations Committee, chaired by Republican state Sen. Bill Cowsert, subpoenaed Willis to compel her to testify in connection with the committee's investigation into allegations of misuse of taxpayer funds.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Cowsert said that after Willis refused to testify voluntarily, the committee issued a subpoena, adding that his legal counsel had indicated to the committee that he would not comply with the subpoena.
“We think it's unlikely she will appear, but it's disappointing that she considers herself above the law,” Cowert said.
FANI WILLIS FACES ONLY ONE SETBACK IN THE CASE AGAINST TRUMP, THE LAST ONE PENDING BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis arrives to speak after winning the Democratic primary on May 21, 2024, in Buckhead, Georgia. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
If Willis fails to appear at Friday's hearing, the state Senate will seek to compel her to attend through a court order that will make its way through the court system in the coming weeks.
“We have the authority to investigate and issue subpoenas to compel testimony and production of documents, and if they are proven in court, that will be validated,” Cowsert said.
“You will be required to appear and produce certain requested documents. A court order may be required to comply with them, but that is where we are headed.”
FORMER SENATOR LAUNCHES 6-DIGITAL AD AGAINST FANI WILLIS AHEAD OF GEORGIA ELECTION
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on March 1, 2024, in Atlanta. (Alex Slitz-Pool/Getty Images)
Friday's hearing will feature a presentation by David Cook, former secretary of the Georgia Senate, on legislative bodies' investigative powers and subpoena power.
Legislative aide Stuart Morelli will also testify about the committee's legal authority to conduct investigations and subpoena individuals to testify or produce documents.
The Republican-led committee was established in January by a resolution passed 30 to 19.
Willis, who is leading the sweeping impeachment case against former President Trump, has been under scrutiny after she was accused in February of having an “improper” relationship with special counsel Nathan Wade, whom she had hired to help prosecute the case.
FORMER FANI WILLIS EMPLOYEE TESTIFIES THAT SHE WAS FIRED AFTER REVEALING DAY'S EXPENSES
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis celebrates after winning the Democratic primary on May 21, 2024, in Buckhead, Georgia. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee's decision not to disqualify her from the case is now under appeal, with that hearing scheduled for December.
The Georgia Senate committee has already held several hearings, including one that included testimony from a whistleblower who said she was fired after raising concerns about alleged misuse of funds by Willis' office.
Willis said in May that she believes the committee does not have the authority to subpoena her, telling a reporter that she “will not appear before anything that is illegal.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I have not broken the law in any way,” Willis told reporters at a news conference in May. “I'm sorry that people are upset that everyone is treated the same.”
But Cowsert said committee members “are all extremely confident that we are acting within the constitutional and legislative authority of the state Senate.”
A representative for Willis did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
The hearing begins Friday at 10 a.m. ET.
