Youngest Black Mayor In Georgia Removed From Office

Jayden Williams, the 23-year-old who was Georgia’s youngest Black mayor, was removed as mayor of Stockbridge, Ga., for misusing city funds and engaging in inappropriate, sexually explicit communications with a teenager, reports NBC News. 

On Sunday, the Stockbridge City Council voted 3-0 to remove Williams from office less than a year after he was elected. Although the mayor’s role in Stockbridge is mostly ceremonial, Williams gained considerable notoriety when he was elected in January. 

Less than a year later, he is out. 

“The City of Stockbridge confirms that the City Council has taken formal action concerning the Office of Mayor following proceedings conducted pursuant to applicable City processes,” according to a city statement released on Sunday. “As a result of that action, the Mayor has been removed from office.”

The investigation into Williams began with allegations regarding an 18-year-old high school student.

The Guardian reports that Williams offered the teenager a city-funded internship and asked if they could be “friends with benefits.” The investigation also found other sexually explicit messages and nude photos exchanged. The outlet reports that Williams reportedly added, “This better stay between us too,” to which … eyeroll. 

Williams defended his relationship with the young man on his Facebook page, saying he met the teen before he was sworn mayor.

“I want to be clear about what actually took place,” Williams wrote. “The police report states there was no criminal finding. … The individual was 18-years-old at the time of our communication … we were both adults.”

Other allegations against Williams involved his use of a government credit card for movie tickets, clothing, and a $322.92 charge at Pandora.

Williams said he paid the city back, and that the charges were a mistake (his city-issued credit card is the same color as his personal card). 

Additionally, the city said Williams created “a hostile work environment” by changing the locks on his office and requiring staff to slide documents underneath the door. He was also accused of yelling at staff members and threatening one staffer’s career. 

The good news is that Williams has about three more lives to live. Hopefully, he’s learned to keep it tight moving forward. 

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