The Democrat challenging the judge overseeing the Georgia election racketeering case against former President Donald Trump described the proceedings to potentially disqualify Fulton County Attorney Fani Willis as a “clown show” and “circus” that he would not allow if he were in the courtroom.
Robert Patillo, an Atlanta attorney and Democratic candidate seeking the judgeship currently held by Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, made the remarks during a Wednesday appearance on 95.5 WSB’s The Shelley Wynter Show.
Patillo (pictured above) denied any affiliation with Willis or the “Fulton County Democratic machine” when asked by host Shelley Wynter whether his candidacy “is a pressure campaign” designed to compel McAfee to “do the right thing” in his upcoming decision on Willis’ potential disqualification.
Nonetheless, the Democrat judge candidate questioned how McAfee runs his courtroom.
“I task anybody to look at the last two weeks or so of these court proceedings, where Atlanta appears to be a giant reality show, that is embarrassed the city, and tell me that looks like a well-run courtroom,” said Patillo.
He added, “They’ve allowed it to turn into a clown show.”
The lawyer claimed that he would offer sufficient experience “to control that courtroom to stop it from turning into the circus it’s turned into.”
The remarks by Patillo, who is the former executive director of the Rainbow PUSH social justice organization founded by Rev. Jessee Jackson, follow a Wednesday post to X, the website formerly known as Twitter, by attorney Steve Sadow, who represents Trump in the Georgia case.
After noting that “anyone can choose to run for public office,” Sadow questioned, “does anyone following the Willis-Wade Fulton County fiasco really believe it is a coincidence that this particular gentleman has (been) chosen to run against Judge McAfee? “
He continued, “If choosing this particular judicial candidate is intended by the pro-Willis faction to put political pressure on the court to rule in her favor, I truly believe they completely underestimate the character of Judge McAfee.”
In our democracy, anyone can choose to run for public office. But does anyone following the Willis-Wade Fulton County fiasco really believe it is a coincidence that this particular gentleman has (been) chosen to run against Judge McAfee? I don’t. And, if choosing this particular…
— Steve Sadow (@stevesadow) March 6, 2024
When asked about Sadow’s suggestion by Wynter, the Democrat claimed he began considering a campaign before McAfee was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp in December 2022 to replace former Judge Christopher Brasher and that his decision to run has little to do with Willis or McAfee.
After hearing of Patillo’s remarks about McAfee’s courtroom, Sadow was defiant in a Thursday post to X.
“Mr. Patillo, President Trump’s Fulton County defense team is not afraid of you,” wrote Sadow. “We are only sorry your obvious pro-Willis bias and motive for running makes a mockery of your candidacy.”
Mr. Patillo, President Trump’s Fulton County defense team is not afraid of you. We are only sorry your obvious pro-Willis bias and motive for running makes a mockery of your candidacy. https://t.co/HqJDmvfM1r
— Steve Sadow (@stevesadow) March 7, 2024
The remarks about McAfee come following the conclusion of hearings to determine whether Willis should be disqualified from the case due to her romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, who she appointed as special prosecutor to oversee the case and paid more than $650,000 with Fulton County taxpayer money.
During their relationship, which Willis and Wade claim started after she appointed him, Wade spent lavishly on luxurious vacations the couple shared using his company credit card. Both testified that Willis paid Wade back in unrecorded cash transactions or by paying for excursions and incidental expenses during their travels.
Multiple defendants in the case argue that Willis and Wade’s fling began years earlier than the couple claims and that Willis improperly enriched herself through Wade’s appointment.
McAfee is expected to make his ruling next week. He previously estimated he would be finished by March 15.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Robert Patillo” by Robert Patillo.
