Georgia mayor, 23, ousted 10 months after making history as state’s youngest mayor
Georgia's youngest elected mayor was removed from office just 10 months after taking the job following allegations that he misused city funds and exchanged sexually suggestive messages and images with an 18-year-old high school student.
Jayden Williams, who recently turned 23, was impeached by the Stockbridge City Council in the city south of Atlanta after taking office in January.
"The City of Stockbridge confirms that the City Council has taken formal action concerning the Office of Mayor," the city said in a statement on Sunday. "The Mayor has been removed from office."
Williams was accused of using his city purchasing card for more than $4,000 in personal expenses, including restaurant meals, clothing, haircuts and a movie, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. He reportedly spent $2,600 on gas and used a city vehicle for personal purposes.
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The spending was reported after city workers noticed unusual transactions involving public funds and immediately notified management and the city’s legal team.
According to Williams’ testimony, he did not intend to use city funds and later repaid the money, Fox 5 reported. He further claimed the city-issued card looked similar to his personal card and said he later replaced the cards to avoid future confusion, the outlet reported.
Separately, Williams was accused of exchanging sexually suggestive messages and explicit images with an 18-year-old male high school student.
A police report noted that Williams did not commit any criminal violations because the student was considered an adult under Georgia law. However, police referred the matter for administrative review over potential policy and ethical concerns about an elected official's interactions with a student in what investigators described as a city-affiliated mentorship program, Fox 5 reported.
In a statement, Williams previously said he met the individual before taking office and that the student never participated in the city’s "Mayor for a Day" program, which Williams described as not a mentorship program.
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"The individual was 18 years old at the time of our communication, meaning we were both adults. I met this individual on November 30, 2025, and our online communication occurred before I was sworn into office in January 2026," he said.
Williams became the youngest mayor in Georgia history after campaigning for the position while still attending Clark Atlanta University.
He was subsequently stripped of certain official privileges on July 17 as the investigation unfolded but was never criminally charged in connection with the alleged conduct.