A donation from a lawyer tied to the Trump election investigation has raised questions about judicial influence.
Newsweek reported that Trump attorney William Bradley Carver contributed $250 to the reelection campaign of Judge Scott McAfee, who is presiding over a significant case in Fulton County, Georgia, regarding alleged efforts to interfere with the 2020 election results.
The contribution was made in May, just a week before Judge McAfee secured his reelection. Carver, who was among the fake electors casting votes for Donald Trump in Georgia during the contested 2020 election, has found himself under scrutiny in a probe led by District Attorney Fani Willis.
Despite his involvement, Carver has not been charged as a defendant in the case where 19 others face accusations related to election interference.
Carver's legal controversies do not end there. In 2022, he was one of the lawyers whom a nonprofit organization urged the State Bar of Georgia to penalize for assisting Trump in contesting Georgia's election results.
The attorney has publicly acknowledged his acquaintance with Judge McAfee, describing their association as longstanding and professional. Carver, a graduate of the University of Georgia Law School like McAfee, praised the judge for his intellect and capabilities on the bench.
"I have known Judge McAfee for a number of years," Carver stated, offering insight into their mutual connections through institutions and professional circles. He further credited the judge as being "very capable and smart" and expressed satisfaction in supporting his successful reelection bid.
Judge McAfee's reelection victory transpired on May 21, shortly after receiving Carver's financial support.
Soon after retaining his position, McAfee made a pivotal decision to allow DA Fani Willis to remain involved in the high-profile election interference case, despite efforts by Trump's legal team to have her disqualified.
The motion to remove Willis was linked to her personal relationship with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor.
Critics argued that this connection could compromise her impartiality. McAfee, however, opted to permit her continued participation on the condition that Wade step down, which he did shortly after the decision was announced.
This ruling temporarily halted proceedings in June, pending an appeal addressing Willis' contested role. The drama surrounding the case reflects the broader legal challenges and controversies that have followed Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
The case's complexity is magnified by the involvement of multiple legal personalities interconnected through various legal and political actions associated with Trump's campaign.
Carver's donation, alongside contributions from other individuals linked to Trump's circle, adds another layer to the story.
Both Wilmer Parker III and Ray Smith III contributed to McAfee's campaign, further fueling debate over potential influences on the judiciary, especially in high-stakes political cases.
Despite the attention surrounding his contribution, Carver continues to practice law, defending Trump's campaign in a lawsuit from the estate of Isaac Hayes and representing the Georgia GOP in a separate legal matter concerning voter registration following a hurricane.
These cases underscore the ongoing legal entanglements and the wider implications of election-related litigation.
