City leaders in a suburb outside Atlanta have voted to remove the youngest mayor in their community’s history amid allegations of questionable spending of municipal funds and inappropriate communications with an 18-year-old high school student. Over the weekend, the Stockbridge, Georgia, city council voted to remove Jayden Williams, 23, from office after an hours-long hearing into allegations that included inappropriate exchanges with an 18-year-old in high school, improper purchases on a municipal government-issued credit card and mistreatment of employees. Williams took office in January after defeating incumbent Anthony Ford in an election two months earlier.
According to local news outlets, an investigation into Williams preceding his removal examined his communications with an 18-year-old high school student. Williams at one point reportedly offered the teenager a city-backed internship and mentorship while also asking if they could be “friends with benefits”, a term implying a casual rather than a committed sexual relationship. Williams reportedly added, “This better stay between us too,” according to the outlet.
During the council hearing, lawyer Robbie Ashe, who was representing Stockbridge investigators, asked Williams: “Is getting nude photographs via text message so unremarkable to you that you don’t remember when you get them?” NBC reported. Williams replied, “It’s not memorable nor is it abnormal for somebody my age. They included sexually suggestive messages and explicit photos.
Other allegations against Williams involved his use of a city-issued credit card. According to Atlanta News First, the purchases included $35.79 for movie tickets, $63.83 at a Polo Factory store and $322.92 at Pandora. Williams said his use of the city-issued credit card was accidental because it is the same color and looks like his personal card.
Investigators also alleged that Williams created a hostile work environment, including changing the locks on his office and requiring staff to slide documents underneath the door. They also accused him of shouting at staff members and allegedly threatening an interim city clerk that she would never be permanently appointed, the outlet reported. During the hearing, Williams denied ordering the locks to be changed and said keys often jammed in them, according to Atlanta News First.
Stockbridge officials discussed Williams’ removal in a statement that said: “The city … has taken formal action concerning the office of mayor following proceedings conducted pursuant to applicable city processes. As a result of that action, the mayor has been removed from office.” After the hearing, Williams’ attorney, Robert Kenner, said the council’s removal of his client “was very disappointing”, NBC reported. The results of the investigation demanded we act.” Williams is not the only young mayor to have been met with legal or political trouble.
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