A Georgia city’s youngest-ever mayor lashed out at officials as he broke his silence after being ousted from his role in light of the sexting and spending scandals that had recently engulfed him.
Jayden Williams – who served as mayor of Stockbridge for 10 months before being impeached — was removed from office earlier this month after being found to have sent suggestive messages to an 18-year-old male high school student on his mentoring scheme as well as spending $4,000 on a city credit card.
Some of the expenses Williams, 23, racked up included a $200 purchase at an Academy Sports + Outdoors store and a $63 purchase at a Polo Factory outlet – spending which the shamed pol fessed up to, WSB reported Monday.
But the investigation found he also spent $322 at a restaurant for Father’s Day – which he initially claimed was for gift cards, when receipts showed he splurged on food and sodas.
Williams, who had never held office before his November 2025 election win, lashed out at the city for apparently not showing him the proper processes for reporting expenses.
“I take accountability for not asking the questions and doing my portion,” he said.
“But they should have also taken the accountability to say ‘Hey, you’re a new mayor. You’re previously sitting on the council. This is your first time elected. Let’s go through these documents.’
“That was never given to me,” he claimed.
He also claimed the expenses came from the $5,000 allowance fund that supports the mayor, rather than the city’s general purse.
Williams addressed the sexting scandal involving his mentee, which also contributed to his political downfall even though his program wasn’t affiliated with the city of Stockbridge.
“There was no violation of the oath,” he said. “I wasn’t even mayor yet.”
But, he said, “I would have to somewhat agree” when asked by WSB if he believed the relationship was inappropriate.
“That’s why I stopped it immediately,” he added.
No criminal charges were ever filed against Williams and the student was an adult.
Despite the allegations, he was stunned that he was ousted from office.
“The only person I would have expected to take me out would have been the voters,” he said.
Some Stockbridge residents had previously shown Williams a degree of sympathy.
“He’s a very young individual, people are taking advantage of that. They’ve not tried to see his potential and what he has to offer,” Stockbridge resident Kristina Warren told Atlanta News First.
Williams’ lawyer, Robert Kenner, warned about the impact the mayor’s removal from office could have on democracy.
“You will be setting a dangerous precedent by removing an elected official that the citizens of this city have duly elected,” he warned.
A special election to replace Williams could be held in November or in March next year.
But Williams said he will remain active – despite not seeking a return to office.
“I’m never going to stop fighting for Stockbridge,” he said.
