At 22, Jayden Williams became Stockbridge’s youngest mayor; 10 months later, the city council removed him after a 10-hour misconduct hearing

Jayden Williams made history as the youngest mayor of Stockbridge when he took office at age 22 in January. Just 10 months later, the city council voted to remove him from office following a 10-hour misconduct hearing focused on his administrative conduct, spending and use of city resources. According to local reports, Williams, now 23, was removed after the council reviewed evidence gathered during a months-long investigation. The council’s decision ended a difficult investigation into Williams’ use of public funds, city property and communications with an 18-year-old high school student. Mayor Pro Tem Elton Alexander has taken over as interim mayor while city officials prepare for a special election to fill the vacant position. Atlanta News First reported that the city is preparing a formal resolution declaring the mayor’s seat vacant.

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement

The hearing lasted from about 9:00 a.m. until nearly 9:00 p.m. City attorneys and investigators presented evidence about Williams’ handling of public money. A major part of the case involved allegations that Williams repeatedly used city purchasing cards for personal expenses. According to evidence presented during the hearing and reported by WSB-TV, the disputed charges included:

Investigators also focused on a $322.92 charge made on Father’s Day at Pandora on the Square in McDonough. According to the city’s investigation documents, Williams originally listed the purchase as gift cards for city staff and later said the items had been given to community members. He also filed a form saying the original receipt was missing. Investigators later obtained the receipt. It showed that the $322.92 was spent on beverages and Father’s Day meals for Williams’ family, according to the evidence presented by the city.Williams defended himself during the hearing, saying he did not intentionally use the city card for personal purchases. He also argued that many of the disputed transactions were connected to official city business. WSB-TV reported that Williams said he reimbursed the city for some of the expenses. When questioned about Stockbridge’s purchasing and ethics policy, Williams testified that he had not read it. He said he had not received a copy when he took office, although he had asked for information about the rules after being elected. WSB-TV reported that Williams also maintained that he had not received proper training on the city’s policies.

Misuse of City Assets and Personnel

The investigation also examined Williams’ use of a city-owned vehicle and fuel cards. According to evidence presented during the hearing, Williams had a city vehicle checked out for 183 days between January and June. The city said this accounted for all but nine days of his early time in office. Local reporting also noted that the city’s rules require municipal vehicles to be used for official business or emergencies. Williams disputed the city’s interpretation of his vehicle use. Earlier, he said the vehicle remained available to him but that he was not necessarily using it every day. His attorney also argued that Williams had not received comprehensive training on the city’s vehicle policies. The city also presented evidence that Williams accumulated about $2,600 in fuel expenses using a city card during the same period, according to WSB-TV.The hearing also examined Williams’ communications with an 18-year-old high school student. Evidence presented to the council included text messages exchanged in late November and early December, before Williams took office, as well as additional messages sent in January. Reports said the communications included sexually suggestive messages and allegations involving explicit photographs. Police reviewed the communications but did not bring criminal charges. The student was 18 and therefore legally an adult under Georgia law. However, the city continued to examine the matter as a possible violation of the conduct standards expected of an elected official. Williams has said the communications took place before he became mayor. In a previous statement reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, he said the individual was 18 at the time and had never taken part in the city’s “Mayor for a Day” program. City Attorney Quinton Washington said the council considered the evidence as a whole before deciding to remove Williams. “When taken in concert together, the employee treatment, all of those things were things that they felt like did not uphold the standard that Stockbridge would like to see in its mayor,” Washington said.

Defense Claims Personal Grudge

After the council’s vote, Mayor Pro Tem Elton Alexander defended the decision, saying officials had a responsibility to protect the city and its residents. “The results of the investigation demanded we act,” Alexander said. Alexander also confirmed that he does not plan to run in the special election to permanently replace Williams.“I have no desire to be mayor,” Alexander said. “For me to run for mayor means giving up my ability to vote, and I would never do that.” Williams and his attorney, Robert Kenner, strongly disagreed with the council’s decision. They argued that council members were biased against the mayor and had already made up their minds before the hearing.Kenner said the decision was not supported by sufficient evidence and accused the council of acting because of a personal dispute with Williams. “What happened tonight was very disappointing,” Kenner said. “I don’t believe that it was based on any evidence. I think it was based on a personal grudge against the mayor.”Kenner said Williams has the right to challenge the council’s decision in court. He indicated that the legal team would consider an appeal in Henry County Superior Court. The proceedings had already faced legal challenges before the final vote. Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt was barred from participating after a judge found that her previous communications showed bias against Williams. The judge’s decision followed evidence involving messages and other communications between Gantt and people connected to the mayor.Gantt therefore did not take part in the final removal decision, according to CBS Atlanta. The city is now preparing for a special election to choose Williams’ replacement. Atlanta News First reported that officials are working on the formal steps needed to declare the mayor’s seat vacant and begin the election process. Officials are also expected to determine whether Williams will legally be allowed to run again.