Former South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau pleads to misdemeanor charge

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Former South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor during a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday.

Khalid Kamau pleads to misdemeanor

What we know:

Kamau was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service, with the added condition that he remain off social media for the duration of his sentence. 

Under the terms of his probation, he is prohibited from contacting, visiting, or publicly speaking about the homeowner, to whom he must also write a one-page letter of apology. 

Kamau entered his plea under the First Offender Act in Fulton County Superior Court, a statute that allows those with no prior felony record to avoid a formal conviction upon successful completion of their sentence.

Kamau's arrest and charges

The backstory:

Kamau was arrested on July 8, 2023, and charged with first-degree burglary (a felony) and criminal trespass (a misdemeanor).

The arrest occurred at a lakefront home on Cascade Palmetto Highway. The homeowner reportedly held Kamau at gunpoint until police arrived after catching him on surveillance video inside the home.

Kamau told officers and reporters that he believed the house was abandoned and that it was his "dream home." He stated he was simply looking at the property and apologized for the "negative attention" it brought to the city.

The felony burglary charge was dropped in May 2025.

In late 2025, prosecutors offered a deal of 12 months of probation, 40 hours of community service, and a written apology to the homeowner. Kamau rejected the deal, stating he preferred to take the case to a jury trial. That same hearing was held up for an hour as Kamau and his attorney were late. The judge threatened to issue a bench warrant.

The charges against Kamau prevent the now-former mayor from changing his name to "Kobi."

PREVIOUS STORIES

• South Fulton mayor formally charged with criminal trespassing
• South Fulton mayor released after arrest, report details incident that led to charges
• Who owns the lake house property where South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau was arrested?
• South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau returns to office with supporters, backlash in tow

Tenure as South Fulton Mayor

Dig deeper:

Kamau made national headlines as the first Black Lives Matter organizer elected to public office.

Kamau first gained local prominence in 2017 when he won a seat on the South Fulton City Council. FOX 5’s coverage at the time highlighted his unique identity as a democratic socialist and a grassroots organizer. In 2021, he leveraged that momentum to challenge and defeat the city’s inaugural mayor, Bill Edwards, in a runoff election with 59% of the vote. Kamau’s platform focused on progressive reform in what he called the "Blackest city in America."

The friction began almost immediately upon his swearing-in. In January 2022, FOX 5 reported that the City Council admonished Kamau for overstepping his authority by calling for the mass resignations of appointed officials, including the city manager and city clerk.

His term was further complicated by theatrical but controversial gestures. In an effort to highlight crime and poor living conditions, Kamau moved into the troubled Camelot Condominiums. However, the move culminated in a lawsuit filed by Kamau against the city, in which he claimed officials were withholding necessary resources from the complex to spite him.

The tension reached a fever pitch in February 2025. FOX 5 cameras captured Kamau decrying a council vote to curtail his executive powers as a "coup by seven people" intended to subvert the will of the voters.

Parallel to his political battles, Kamau faced intense scrutiny over his use of taxpayer funds. An independent audit, frequently cited in FOX 5 reports, alleged the mayor misused approximately $70,000. Questionable expenses included $26,000 on a city credit card for high-tech electronics and an international trip to Ghana, which the council argued lacked proper authorization.

The controversies eventually took a toll at the ballot box. After initially stating he would not seek re-election, Kamau entered the 2025 race but suffered a crushing defeat, finishing sixth. He was succeeded by Carmalitha Gumbs in December 2025.