Stockbridge council moves to executive session to decide mayor's fate

Stockbridge mayor faces possible removal after hearing

Stockbridge Mayor Jayden Williams testified during a council  hearing addressing alleged P-card misuse and explicit messages sent to a high school student.

STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. - The Stockbridge City Council is in executive session following a daylong hearing regarding the possible removal of Mayor Jayden Williams, where city officials presented evidence of mismanaged city funds and inappropriate conduct.

Stockbridge mayor investigative hearing

What we know:

An investigative hearing regarding Stockbridge Mayor Jayden Williams resumed at City Hall after being rescheduled. Retired Judge Gino Brogdon Sr., who presided over the hearing, allotted four hours each to the city and the mayor's legal team to present their cases.

The hearing proceeded without Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt on the panel after Judge Brogdon ordered her recusal. The judge ruled that an email Gantt sent to the mayor and a conversation she had with his grandmother could be viewed as inappropriate.

Throughout the day, city representatives presented evidence that Williams used his municipal P-Card for personal expenses, including a haircut, food, and clothing. Williams testified that he did use the card for personal purchases, explaining that the city card looked similar to his personal card, which he eventually swapped out.

"There is a difference between inexperience, mistakes and disagreements about how something should have been handled and misconduct serious enough to remove an elected mayor or elected person who belongs," Defense Attorney Robert Kenner Jr. said.

City attorneys also questioned Williams regarding his relationship with an 18-year-old high school student and introduced hundreds of text and Instagram messages between the two. Williams acknowledged during testimony that some of the messages were explicit.

"It's the pattern that tells you exactly what Mayor Williams knew and exactly what Mayor Williams did," City Attorney Amanda Bradley said. "The card, the car, the forms, the staff, the high school student; public office is a public trust."

Following the public presentation of evidence and testimony, the panel entered an executive session to privately deliberate on the hearing.

Williams is not facing criminal charges related to his alleged conduct.

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Potential removal vote

What we don't know:

City officials have not confirmed whether the council will vote on Saturday to potentially remove Williams from office following their executive session.