Jayden Williams, who became Georgia's youngest mayor just 10 months ago, has been removed from office following allegations of misusing city funds and exchanging sexually suggestive messages and images with an 18-year-old high school student.
The Stockbridge City Council voted to impeach and remove Williams, 23, from his position south of Atlanta. The city confirmed the formal action in a statement on Sunday.
Williams was accused of using his city purchasing card for more than $4,000 in personal expenses, including meals, clothing, and haircuts, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. He also reportedly spent $2,600 on gas and used a city vehicle for personal use. City workers noticed the unusual transactions and reported them.
Williams stated that he did not intend to use city funds for personal expenses and claimed the city-issued card resembled his personal one. He also said he had since repaid the money and replaced the cards to prevent future confusion.
Separately, Williams was accused of exchanging sexually suggestive messages and explicit images with an 18-year-old male student. A police report indicated that Williams did not commit any criminal violations because the student was considered an adult under Georgia law. However, the matter was referred for administrative review due to ethical concerns regarding an elected official's interactions with a student in what investigators described as a city-affiliated program.
Williams maintained that he met the individual before taking office and that the student never participated in the city’s "Mayor for a Day" program, which he described as not a mentorship program. He added that both he and the student were adults at the time of their communication, which occurred before he was sworn into office.
Williams made history when he was elected mayor while still attending Clark Atlanta University, becoming the youngest mayor in Georgia. He was stripped of certain official privileges on July 17 as the investigation progressed, but he was not criminally charged.
