Stockbridge mayor decision: Councilmember won't be involved
Council member Lakeisha Gantt removed from panel
Retired Judge Gino Brogdon Sr., who is presiding over the process, ruled that Council member Lakeisha Gantt cannot participate in the panel's decision.
STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. - A City Council member has been removed from a panel tasked with deciding whether Mayor Jaden Williams should remain in office.
What we know:
Retired Judge Gino Brogdon Sr., who is presiding over the process, ruled that Council member Lakeisha Gantt cannot participate in the panel's decision.
The ruling followed a Zoom hearing this week involving attorneys for Williams and the city.
Judge cites email, contact with mayor's grandmother
Brogdon said a threatening email Gantt allegedly sent to Williams helped tip the scales in his decision. He also pointed to Gantt's decision to contact the mayor's grandmother.
"Reaching out to his grandmother, and even said in the text to the grandmother, 'I'm taking a risk,'" Brogdon said.
The judge said that indicated Gantt understood contacting Williams' grandmother could be viewed as inappropriate and potentially have consequences.
When the panel will meet
The panel will move forward without Gantt as it considers whether Williams should be removed from office.
Members are expected to hear the findings of an independent investigation before making a decision.
A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 12.
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