Former Stockbridge, Georgia Mayor Jayden Williams did not expect to be ousted from office earlier this month amid scrutiny over alleged misconduct.
“I didn’t expect this,” he told WSB-TV. “You know, maybe a censure, but definitely not a removal.”
Williams, 23, who had served in the role for less than a year at the time he was given the boot, was the city’s youngest mayor ever. His tenure was cut short amid allegations pertaining to his spending of city funds as well as a relationship with an 18-year-old high school student.
GEORGIA MAYOR, 23, OUSTED 10 MONTHS AFTER MAKING HISTORY AS STATE’S YOUNGEST MAYOR
Pressed by WSB-TV whether he should have recognized that the relationship was inappropriate, Williams said, “I would have to somewhat agree to that.”
“There was no violation of the oath,” Williams told the outlet. “I wasn’t even mayor yet.”
WSB-TV reported that Williams said the relationship was not sexual.
NBC News previously reported that Williams admitted he had exchanged nude photos.
“That’s not abnormal for somebody my age,” Williams said during a city council meeting, according to the outlet.
A police report noted that Williams did not commit any criminal violations because the student was considered an adult under Georgia law.
Williams acknowledged spending some funds on personal purchases. He said they were from the mayor’s reallocated $5,000 annual budget, not the city’s general fund, according to WSB-TV.
“It was not intentional and I paid it back immediately,” he said.
He noted that the city purchasing card was similar in appearance to his personal card, according to Fox 5. He later replaced the cards to avoid future confusion, the outlet reported.
Williams became the youngest Black mayor elected in Georgia history after campaigning for the position while still attending Clark Atlanta University. He was impeached by the Stockbridge City Council earlier this month after taking office in January.
