Stockbridge City Council rushing case against mayor, lawyer says; mayor accused of misconduct

STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. — The attorney for Stockbridge Mayor Jayden Williams says the city is moving to remove his client from office before releasing the findings of an investigation into allegations of misspending and sexual misconduct.

Attorney Robert Kenner spoke exclusively with Channel 2 Action News investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln, arguing the city has violated its own charter and denied Williams due process.

“We haven’t seen any type of evidence that they can produce that shows that he committed some type of sexual misconduct,” Kenner said.

Williams, who was elected Stockbridge’s youngest mayor at age 22, has faced allegations related to his spending. The city later added an allegation of sexual misconduct, but has not publicly released details supporting that claim.

Kenner says the city is rushing the process to remove Williams from office and has made procedural errors along the way.

“They’re rushing. They’re making all kinds of mistakes,” Kenner said.

Kenner filed a second legal claim against the city after officials announced plans to release the findings of an independent investigation into Williams’ spending.

Kenner told Lincoln, the timing of the release became a point of contention because it was scheduled just days before a judge is expected to hear evidence in Williams’ civil case against the city. That lawsuit seeks to restore privileges the city revoked from the mayor last month.

Kenner argues the restrictions prevented Williams from carrying out his duties before the city held a lawful removal hearing.

“The charter is like the Bible. It’s like it is the law that the city council must follow,” Kenner said.

Williams’ attorney says the city also violated the charter’s notice requirements.

The Stockbridge charter states that written notice is required before a mayor can be removed and that a public hearing must take place at least 10 days after the notice is served.

Kenner argues the city appears to have calculated the 10-day period from Aug. 5, when officials announced the investigation, rather than from the date Williams received the required written notice.

“He had a verbal notice. And that’s not what the policy says,” Kenner said.

On Monday, the Stockbridge City Council approved a measure rescheduling the release of the investigation findings for Aug. 22. The city has not publicly explained the reason for the change.

The sexual misconduct allegation was made after the city initially raised concerns about Williams’ spending. The city has not released specific details about either allegation.

City officials have declined to comment on the allegations or Kenner’s claims.

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