Legal experts suggest that Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis may enhance her prosecution against former President Donald Trump by adopting a less prominent role following a scathing ruling that raised doubts about her testimony regarding her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade.

Judge Scott McAfee stopped short of concluding that Willis committed perjury or derived financial benefits from her association with Wade.

Ethics complaints? Targeting law license? Troubles lie in wait for Georgia DA Fani Willis https://t.co/sPUUkdIyE0

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Wade's resignation

Wade indicated that reasonable individuals could question whether a romantic relationship between them resumed or if financial gains were involved unless one of them recused themselves. He resigned on Friday.

The Georgia case accuses Trump and 18 co-defendants, four of whom have accepted plea deals, of engaging in a multifaceted scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Despite the ruling, Willis retains the option to pursue the case, but she may encounter challenges to her legal credentials at the State Bar of Georgia, notwithstanding experts' skepticism regarding the likelihood of success based on current evidence.

Further scrutiny

Willis may also face scrutiny from other state regulatory bodies. Even before the ruling, a conservative group had petitioned the State Bar to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Willis and Wade.

"While she has weathered today's ruling, the spotlight on her conduct will only intensify because her and Mr. Wade's performance during this process failed to persuade," observed Andrew George, a trial attorney and adjunct professor at Georgetown Law Center, shortly after the ruling.

McAfee hinted at potential further consequences in his decision, admonishing Willis for a "significant lapse in judgment" and "unprofessional demeanor." Such remarks suggest the likelihood of ethics complaints being filed against Willis, according to legal analysts.

Possible punishments, appeal ahead

Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis will encounter more than just potential challenges from the State Bar. She also may confront the prospect of scrutiny or potential consequences from other Georgia authorities.

She is the subject of an inquiry by the Georgia Senate, which recently sought testimony from the attorney involved in the Georgia election case. This attorney initiated the initial motion for Willis' disqualification.

Trump's legal team is also looking at appeal options, with other co-defendants likely to join in the process.

Georgia's governor also signed a law on Wednesday aimed at implementing legislative remedies for a newly established commission empowered to penalize and oust state prosecutors.

This commission holds the potential to investigate Willis in the future, which could add further problems to the district attorney's already controversial situation.