Jayden Williams, the youngest mayor in Stockbridge, Georgia, spoke out after his removal from office due to sexting and spending scandals. Williams, who served for 10 months, was impeached earlier this month following an investigation that revealed he sent suggestive messages to an 18-year-old male student involved in his mentoring program and misused a city credit card for personal expenses totaling $4,000.
Among the expenses were a $200 purchase at Academy Sports + Outdoors and a $63 purchase at a Polo Factory outlet. An investigation also uncovered a $322 charge at a restaurant for Father's Day, which Williams initially claimed was for gift cards but was later determined to be for food and drinks.
Williams, 23, acknowledged his responsibility for not asking questions about expense reporting procedures but criticized the city for not providing guidance as a new mayor. "I take accountability for not asking the questions and doing my portion," he stated. "But they should have also taken the accountability to say ‘Hey, you’re a new mayor... Let’s go through these documents.’ That was never given to me."
Regarding the sexting scandal, Williams asserted that there was no violation of his oath, stating, "I wasn’t even mayor yet," but admitted the relationship was inappropriate and said he ended it immediately. No criminal charges were filed against him, as the student was an adult.
Despite the allegations, Williams expressed surprise at his removal, saying, "The only person I would have expected to take me out would have been the voters." Some residents of Stockbridge showed sympathy for Williams, suggesting that his youth was being exploited.
Williams' lawyer, Robert Kenner, cautioned that removing an elected official could set a dangerous precedent for democracy. A special election to fill Williams' position may occur in November or March of the following year. Williams stated he will continue to advocate for the city but does not plan to seek re-election. "I’m never going to stop fighting for Stockbridge," he said.