Jayden Williams, who made history by becoming Stockbridge’s youngest mayor at just 22, has been ousted from the office just less than a year later.
Williams was removed from office Saturday after the Stockbridge City Council held a nearly 10-hour hearing into allegations involving his use of city money, treatment of employees and sexually suggestive communications with an 18-year-old high school student.
One of the biggest issues involved more than $4,000 in spending on a city purchasing card.
Investigators questioned purchases including restaurant meals, clothing, haircuts and movie tickets.
The now 23-year-old ex mayor admitted mistakenly using the city card for some personal purchases but said he later paid the money back. He said the city card looked similar to his own credit card.
Another $2,600 was spent using a city fuel card. Williams also used a city vehicle extensively, including for trips the city alleged were personal.
But the investigation became even more controversial after messages between Williams and an 18-year-old male high school student emerged.
Some were sexually suggestive and allegations were also raised about explicit photographs being exchanged.
Police did not bring criminal charges because the student was an adult under Georgia law.
Williams said he met the student before becoming mayor and maintained their online communications began before he was sworn into office.
After hearing the evidence Saturday, three council members voted to remove him.
His lawyer Robert Kenner Jr. has hit back at the decision, arguing that council members had already made up their minds and that the evidence did not justify removing an elected mayor.
“This whole process smells bad,” Kenner later told WSB-TV. Williams could now appeal his removal in Henry County Superior Court.
Meanwhile, Mayor Pro Tem Elton Alexander has taken over mayoral duties until Stockbridge holds a special election.
He was still a student at Clark Atlanta University when he campaigned for mayor and graduated just weeks before taking office in January.
2026-09-15 19:06:00
