# What happens if Trump is indicted in Georgia? (Indicted on August 14, 2023)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928>\
**Category:** Politics & Elections\
**Tags:** trump\
**Created:** [February 17, 2023, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928 "2023-02-17T03:14:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 114

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**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2261 "2024-02-15T16:22:44Z")

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interesting, mr wade contends that his marriage was irretrievable broken in 2015, they filed for divorce after their youngest child graduated high school, recently. mr wade considered his marriage over at 2015, not when the divorce was filed.

very much the clintonian “is, is”, thing going on.

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**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2262 "2024-02-15T16:34:00Z")

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Wade (my words, not his): I paid for business travel – trips where Fani Willis may have periodically accompanied me. I don’t have _receipts_ for this travel. What I _do_ have is credit card _statements_.

But Fani Willis would reimburse me – in cash – for her share of those expenses.

And because it was reimbursed _in cash_, I have no evidence to support those reimbursements.

Yeah. Not a good look.

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**Author:** ![Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/section_maker_jupe/32/1424_2.png) [@Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Section_Maker_Jupe)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2263 "2024-02-15T16:41:43Z")

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Wade seems to be handling himself well. Attorney really digging at him. Shes tough.

Fulton county attorney defending him is also doing her job well

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**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2264 "2024-02-15T16:43:12Z")

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Reimbursements for airline tickets or other travel items in cash strikes me as odd. Check, Venmo or something like that but cash strikes me as unusual these days for larger amounts.

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**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2265 "2024-02-15T16:44:45Z")

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yes, it is getting murky now. checks and accounts and who gets what. cash leaves no paper trail.

ah, he is claiming that he would book things in his card for security reasons for ms willis. then ms willis would reimburse him after.

he is stating that ms willis gave the trip for belize as a birthday present to him.

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**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2266 "2024-02-15T16:51:01Z")

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Yeah - if these are legitimate gov’t work expenses, that seems awfully cavalier. Really reflects poor judgment to be so sloppy WRT such a high profile case.

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**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2267 "2024-02-15T16:52:39Z")

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And this effects the actual trial how?

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**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2268 "2024-02-15T16:54:46Z")

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I missed the testimony of the witness for the defense Robin Bryant-Yeartie, a friend of Willis who says the relationship began before Wade was hired. All I can find regarding her testimony is that she said she has “no doubt” they were in a relationship when Wade was hired. Did she actually provide anything that was actual evidence? How would her just making a claim of this type count as anything of substance?

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**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2269 "2024-02-15T17:15:00Z")

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> [@Stratocaster](#):
>
> And this effects the actual trial how?

Miserable pedantic nitpick: Affects.

> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#):
>
> I missed the testimony of the witness for the defense Robin Bryant-Yeartie, a friend of Willis who says the relationship began before Wade was hired.

She testified as to her direct knowledge of being told by Willis that Willis and Wade were in a romantic relationship as early as 2018.

She also testified that she was let go from the DA’s office for poor performance by DA Willis.

The problem for Willis, I think, is that both she and Wade represented that the relationship didn’t begin until after the case against Trump began.

The problem isn’t the relationship. The problem isn’t even that the relationship may have predated the Trump case. The problem is that they may have lied to the Court about when it started, and Judge McCafee won’t be able to overlook that.

The other serious issue is if Willis was personally enriched by passing funds to Wade via his employment on the case which he then spent or gave back to her in some in-kind fashion.

There’s a significant appearance of impropriety with both these concerns. (I guess this still matters at the state level, though not at the level of SCOTUS.)

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**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2270 "2024-02-15T17:15:44Z")

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I should correct my prior comment. I think Wade was referring to _travel_ and to _vacations,_ rather than to _business_ travel.

There are certainly circumstances where that distinction could make a material difference.

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**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2271 "2024-02-15T17:34:00Z")

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While I’m sure they were sensationalizing to some extent … CNN was covering the Wade-Willis hearing as being the definitive and conclusive death knell to Willis’ case against Trump & Friends. A lot of hard work up in smoke, just like that.

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**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2272 "2024-02-15T17:40:18Z")

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i just hope that the georgia case can keep on track. this case getting knocked off will just give trump a huge wind in his political sails.

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**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2273 "2024-02-15T17:49:01Z")

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I can see the whole mess backfiring on Republicans.

The Georgia legislature dumps Willis and the backlash among voters turns Georgia a deeper shade of blue. I think that would also energize Dems in other states.

I also believe in the Easter Bunny.

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**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2274 "2024-02-15T18:04:37Z")

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I was under the impression that, according to the state of Georgia, if Willis doesn’t prosecute this, then there is no prosecution.

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**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2275 "2024-02-15T18:07:09Z")

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the judge continues to impress.

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**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2276 "2024-02-15T18:11:57Z")

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He does. He’s keeping control of the proceedings, certainly.

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**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2277 "2024-02-15T18:12:11Z")

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> [@bobot](#):
>
> I was under the impression that, according to the state of Georgia, if Willis doesn’t prosecute this, then there is no prosecution.

My understanding (via CNN’s coverage this morning) is that other prosecutors could theoretically continue the case in the event of Willis’ dismissal … but that realistically, no one else will step into Willis’ slot and pursue the case.

This is all most weird looking from the outside in and not having a legal background. How often does a criminal case just go dead because of this kind of a revelation? Must be nice to have deep pockets and an army of lawyers.

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**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2278 "2024-02-15T18:22:57Z")

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> [@bordelond](#):
>
> My understanding (via CNN’s coverage this morning) is that other prosecutors could theoretically continue the case in the event of Willis’ dismissal … but that realistically, no one else will step into Willis’ slot and pursue the case.

That’s not what I’m reading.

The AP is saying that if she’s forced to step down then the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia would need to decide whether to find someone. That someone would need to be a prosecutor with a sufficiently large staff to be able to manage the case - probably one near Atlanta.

I understand that Atlanta is fairly blue, so that seems promising. The only question would be the Council.

Looking at their website, the head of the Council is Pete Skandalakis. Searching for references to him and Trump, the article that came up quotes him defending Willis’ right to stay on the job under Georgia’s rules. So, while I do believe that he’s a Republican, he doesn’t seem to be MAGA.

> **[Could Georgia's Fani Willis be removed from prosecuting Donald Trump?](https://apnews.com/article/willis-wade-affair-allegations-election-interference-trump-9a292135a319fd203190a107e3f4f4dc)**
>
> Accusations that Willis had an affair with a special prosecutor she hired to seek convictions of Trump have led to calls to remove her.

[https://pacga.org/staff/](https://pacga.org/staff/)

> **[DA defends qualifications of a prosecutor hired in Trump’s Georgia election case](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/14/da-defends-prosecutor-trump-georgia-election-case-00135549)**
>
> Fani Willis pushed back against critics

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**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2279 "2024-02-15T18:27:48Z")

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IANAL but I’d think that there is some way for a complex prosecution to continue in the absence of the chief prosecutor. It would certainly create delays, obviously.

I’m watching the proceedings live and it’s quite fascinating.

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**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2280 "2024-02-15T18:34:35Z")

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> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> So, while I do believe that he’s a Republican, he doesn’t seem to be MAGA.

After the crap Trump pulled in that state, I imagine that he’s not the only Republican not MAGA.

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