The Stockbridge City Council voted 3-0 on Sunday to remove Jayden Williams, 23, from office as mayor of the Atlanta suburb, following a formal investigation into allegations of misusing city funds and inappropriate communications with a teenager.
Williams, who was elected in January and became Georgia’s youngest mayor, was removed after the council concluded proceedings under the city’s applicable processes. The council confirmed the action in a statement, noting that Williams had been removed from office as a result of their findings.
Misuse of city funds
An investigation by the city, conducted with external legal counsel, found that Williams used a city-issued purchasing card for more than $4,000 in personal expenses, including restaurant meals, clothing, haircuts, and a movie. According to the probe, Williams spent $2,600 on gas and used a city vehicle for personal purposes.
City workers reportedly noticed unusual transactions involving public funds and notified management and the city’s legal team. Williams testified that he did not intend to use city funds and later repaid the money, claiming the city-issued card looked similar to his personal card. He said he later replaced the cards to avoid future confusion.
Inappropriate communications with teen
The investigation also uncovered that Williams exchanged sexually explicit messages and images with an 18-year-old male high school student. The communications included flirtatious exchanges and nude photographs, according to evidence presented during a council meeting.
Williams acknowledged during testimony that he had exchanged nude images with the student, who had just turned 18. When asked about the exchanges, Williams stated that sharing such material was not unusual for people his age. The student had been in contact with Williams about joining a mentorship program.
A police report noted that no criminal violations occurred because the student was considered an adult under Georgia law. However, police referred the matter for administrative review due to potential policy and ethical concerns regarding an elected official’s interactions with a student.
Timeline and next steps
Williams took office in January and was removed 10 months later, following the council’s investigation. The city has six months to schedule a special election to fill the position, according to acting mayor Elton Alexander.
The council’s decision followed a marathon meeting on Saturday, where Williams faced questioning about the allegations. The city hired a law firm to conduct the investigation, which formed the basis for the council’s actions.
Williams’ removal marks the end of a brief but historic tenure as Georgia’s youngest mayor, a role he held for less than a year.