Jayden Williams, who became Georgia’s youngest elected mayor at age 22, was removed from office by the Stockbridge City Council after 10 months in the role. The council's decision followed allegations of misuse of city funds and inappropriate communications with an 18-year-old high school student. The city confirmed the formal action in a statement on Sunday, stating, "The Mayor has been removed from office."
Williams is accused of using a city purchasing card for over $4,000 in personal expenses, including meals, clothing, haircuts, and entertainment. Reports indicate he spent $2,600 on gas and used a city vehicle for personal purposes. City workers reported unusual transactions involving public funds, which led to an investigation by management and the city’s legal team.
In his defense, Williams stated that he did not intend to misuse city funds and later repaid the amount. He claimed that the city-issued card resembled his personal card and that he replaced both cards to prevent confusion.
Additionally, Williams faced allegations of exchanging sexually suggestive messages and images with an 18-year-old male high school student. A police report indicated that no criminal violations occurred since the student was considered an adult under Georgia law. However, the matter was referred for administrative review due to potential policy and ethical concerns regarding an elected official's interactions with a student in a city-affiliated program.
Williams stated that he met the individual before taking office and clarified that the student did not participate in the city’s “Mayor for a Day” program, which he described as not being a mentorship program. He noted that their online communication took place before he was sworn into office in January 2026. Williams had campaigned for the mayoral position while attending Clark Atlanta University. Although he was stripped of certain official privileges on July 17 during the investigation, he was never criminally charged in connection with the allegations.