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A Georgia city’s youngest-ever mayor was temporarily stripped of his duties and privileges amid an investigation over his alleged spending – less than a year after being elected on a campaign premised around accountability and transparency.
Jayden Williams, the 22-year-old mayor of Stockbridge, Ga., was ordered to hand over his city-issued credit cards by Monday at noon due to his spending, but failed to meet the deadline, Atlanta News First reported.
Stockbridge city council officials launched a probe into Williams after “information” was presented to finance officials and the city attorney, without divulging further.
Lawmakers backed a resolution on a 5-0 basis last Friday to strip the pol of some of his privileges, including suspending his city-issued credit card and blocking the use of city-owned cars.
Williams has not been charged with any crime, but officials say the measures “are designed solely to preserve the integrity of City operations during the investigative process.”
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The elected official – who became Georgia’s youngest African American mayor earlier this year – has confirmed he has taken legal action to ensure city bosses follow a “fair, open and transparent process.”
“Mayor Williams welcomes a full and independent investigation and looks forward to the opportunity to address any allegations through the proper process,” a statement shared on his Facebook page says.
Williams reportedly didn’t turn up to Stockbridge City Hall to hand over the property, but Elton Alexander – the city’s mayor pro tem – said the cards could be deactivated remotely.
“We could deactivate. Pretty much handle all of that electronically and so all of those items have been secured. I can say that. Whether or not they’ve all been returned I don’t know,” he said.
Alexander said the investigation into the mayor’s alleged spending should take between 30 and 45 days.
“It’s taxpayer dollars and we’re supposed to be good stewards of the tax payer money,” Alexander said.
During this time, Williams can still preside over council meetings and carry out his constitutional duties.
Williams, a political science graduate from Clark Atlanta University, announced his mayoral bid in 2025 “running on a vision centered on unity, accountability, and community-driven progress.”
He defeated Anthony Ford – a two-time incumbent – by a margin of 420 votes.
“Beating a two-time incumbent is huge, and it just shows that Stockbridge is ready for some change,” he told the Atlanta Voice.
“His [Williams’] election marked a pivotal moment for the city ushering in a new era of leadership focused on collaboration, transparency, and inclusive growth,” his campaign team said.
Williams said he doesn’t want Stockbridge, a city of around 36,000 people, to become a “mini-Atlanta” or “mini-New York City” but he wants to transform it into an area “that’s urban, hip and up with the times.”
He was Georgia’s youngest planning commissioner and previously served as Youth Mayor Emeritus for the Stockbridge Youth Council.
