Stockbridge mayor accused of misusing city funds, sexual misconduct
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A judge heard a request Friday from Stockbridge Mayor Jayden Williams to have his mayoral privileges reinstated, one week after the city council stripped him of them.
A technicality prevented reinstatement, with Judge Holly Veal ruling that city council members’ names be removed from the motion and asking Williams to refile.
Williams, 22, was stripped of his mayoral privileges and access to private areas more than seven months after being elected as Stockbridge’s youngest mayor. He filed for an emergency hearing to have those privileges reinstated.
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In a statement released Friday evening, the City of Stockbridge listed numerous allegations against Williams, including sexual misconduct and misusing his city-issued purchasing card.
According to the statement, the city’s independent investigation is examining allegations that include:
“The alleged use of a City-issued Purchasing Card (P-Card) for expenditures that may not have served a legitimate governmental purpose.
Alleged discrepancies between explanations provided for certain purchases and the supporting receipts and transaction documentation.
Alleged violations of the City’s Purchasing Card Policy, Procurement Policy, Financial Policies, and Code of Ethics.
Whether City funds or other City resources were used in a manner inconsistent with City policy or applicable law.
Allegations of sexual misconduct and whether any such conduct violated City policies, ethical standards, or applicable law.
Whether any additional conduct, financial transactions, or supporting documentation demonstrates violations of City policies, ethical requirements, or other applicable legal standards."
The city has not released further details on the allegations.
In an interview with Atlanta News First on Tuesday, Mayor Pro-Tem Elton Alexander said any misuse of taxpayer funds would not be tolerated.
“I don’t think I have added it up and certainly, if it’s one dollar, the city doesn’t differentiate how much,” Alexander said. “It’s taxpayer dollars, and we’re supposed to be good stewards of the taxpayer money.”
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Williams declined an interview request, forwarding media to his attorney, Gerald Griggs, who also declined a request for an interview.
On Friday night, Griggs sent a statement to Atlanta News First decrying the city council’s actions, claiming members did not have the authority under the city’s charter or state law to strip Williams of his mayoral privileges.
Read the full statement below:
“I am honored to join attorney Robert Kenner in representing Mayor Jayden Williams in this important matter involving the rule of law and the limits of municipal authority.
Our legal system provides clear mechanisms for addressing allegations involving elected officials. What it does not permit is a city council creating powers for itself that do not exist under the Stockbridge City Charter or Georgia law.
The City of Stockbridge has publicly discussed allegations while failing to identify any legal authority allowing the Council to suspend, diminish, or otherwise interfere with the statutory powers of a duly elected mayor. That omission is significant because government officials are bound by the law just as every citizen is.
This case is not about avoiding accountability. Mayor Williams welcomes any lawful investigation conducted by the appropriate authorities. It is about ensuring that governmental bodies operate within the limits of the authority granted to them by law.
We believe the actions taken by the City Council exceeded its lawful authority, and we are prepared to pursue every available legal remedy to protect both the Office of the Mayor and the constitutional rights of the citizens who elected him. All legal options remain on the table, and these issues will ultimately be resolved in a court of law—not through public accusations or political resolutions."
In November, Williams said Stockbridge residents could expect accountability and transparency from his administration.
“You have to be transparent to the people in order to get them to elect you and get you voted in,” Williams said then.
Williams’ administrative privileges remain stripped following Friday’s hearing. Williams has argued the action “disables the elected office of the mayor” and that the city charter does not authorize such an action. He is expected to refile.
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