BS BULLETIN:
- Stockbridge Mayor Jayden Williams has been removed from office only months after becoming Georgia’s youngest mayor.
- The 23-year-old faced allegations involving thousands of dollars in city spending and sexually suggestive communications with an 18-year-old high school student.
- Williams denied intentionally misusing public money and was not criminally charged over the communications.
That historic tenure didn’t last long.
Jayden Williams made headlines when he became Georgia’s youngest mayor. Now, at 23, he’s out of the job after the Stockbridge City Council voted to remove him following a daylong hearing into allegations of misconduct.
Williams took office in January after defeating incumbent Anthony Ford.
By July, however, the council had already stripped him of certain official privileges as scrutiny intensified.
One issue involved money.
Williams was accused of using a city purchasing card for more than $4,000 in personal expenses, including restaurant meals, clothing, haircuts and a movie. He was also accused of charging more than $2,600 in gas for personal trips and using a city vehicle for personal purposes.
Williams testified that he didn’t intentionally spend city money, saying the government-issued card resembled his personal card. He said he repaid the money and replaced the cards to prevent another mix-up.
Then there were the messages.
Williams faced allegations that he exchanged sexually suggestive messages and explicit images with an 18-year-old male high school student.
Police found no criminal violation because the student was legally an adult, but the situation raised separate ethical and policy questions over the student’s connection to the city and Williams.
Williams has pushed back on that characterization.
He said he met the individual before taking office and that their online communications occurred before Williams was sworn in. He also said the student never participated in the city’s “Mayor for a Day” program and disputed describing that program as mentorship.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Saturday’s hearing also included allegations concerning Williams’ treatment of city employees.
After the lengthy proceeding, the City Council voted him out.
“The City of Stockbridge confirms that the City Council has taken formal action concerning the Office of Mayor,” the city subsequently announced. “The Mayor has been removed from office.”
Williams can appeal the council’s decision to Henry County Superior Court.
It’s an extraordinary reversal for a young politician whose election was itself a news story.
Williams was still attending Clark Atlanta University when he campaigned for mayor.
Ten months after taking office, he’s making headlines for a very different reason.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Fox News — Georgia mayor, 23, ousted 10 months after making history as state’s youngest mayor
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Stockbridge City Council votes to remove mayor from office
- WSB-TV — Explicit texts, use of city credit card and vehicles focus of Stockbridge mayor hearing
- New York Post — Georgia mayor, 23, ousted after making history as state’s youngest mayor
