The highly anticipated testimony of a whistleblower from the office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has finally taken place, leaving attendees and viewers stunned by the damning firsthand account of political corruption.
Amanda Timpson, a former employee of Willis, informed investigators from the U.S. House of Representatives and the Georgia Legislature that she was abruptly fired after voicing concerns about the office’s misuse of federal grant money. The funds, intended to establish the Center of Youth Empowerment and Gang Prevention, were instead spent on travel, computers, and “swag,” she told a state committee.
“I’m here today to fight for my reputation, to fight for the youth, but also to fight for what’s right,” Amanda Timpson said on Thursday, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. The hearing was called by the Senate Special Committee on Investigations and was chaired by Republican state Sen. Bill Cowsert. He had previously invited Willis to testify and stated that he would subpoena her if necessary.
Timpson claimed her former supervisor was the first to suggest that the money be diverted to items for the office. “In this meeting, this was the first time on what he (Miachel Cuffey) wanted to spend the grant on. He said he wanted to spend it on computers, travel, and swag,” Timpson said about Cuffey. She claimed that she attempted to access the funds that were used by former DA Paul Howard, but once Willis was elected, the situation changed.
“As I insisted that it is not what we could do that’s when I realized my treatment changed,” Timpson said. “She (Willis) said something like, ‘What’s going on?’ And when I went to speak, she cut me off and she said, ‘Effective immediately you’re going to be removed and demoted.” After taking the matter to the office’s human resources department, Timpson alleged that she was escorted out of the office by armed security personnel, she testified.
Willis, who just won the Democratic primary as she seeks reelection, was supported by Democrats on the committee, who accused Timpson of acting as a “Republican political pawn.” “At this point, it’s becoming frustrating because we are wasting time of senators and Georgians but people all over this country,” one Democratic senator said.
Willis has refused to appear before the committee. “I will not appear to anything that is unlawful, and I have not broken the law,” she said. “I’ve said it amongst these leaders, I’m sorry folks get pissed off that everybody gets treated equally.”
“She said as recently as this morning, nobody is above the law. She is saying this out of one side of her mouth, and out the other, she is saying, ‘I am above the law. I will not comply,” Sen. Cowsert said in response.
NEW: DA Fani Willis says she will not testify before the Republican-led Georgia senate investigative committee: “I will not appear to anything that is unlawful,” adding. “I’m sorry that folks get pissed off that everybody gets treated evenly.”@FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/VAy3ZDm55a
— Rob DiRienzo (@RobDiRienzo) May 6, 2024
Willis is still under investigation by the committee, which holds the authority to remove a district attorney from office if they are found to have violated their oath of office. Similarly, the U.S. House Oversight Committee, led by Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH), is examining whether Willis misused federal grants or coordinated her prosecution of former President Donald Trump with the White House.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.