The youngest mayor ever elected in a Georgia city has had some of his official duties and privileges temporarily curtailed while officials investigate questions about his alleged spending — less than a year after he won office on a message of accountability and transparency.
Jayden Williams, the 22-year-old mayor of Stockbridge, Georgia, was directed to surrender his city-issued credit cards by noon Monday because of concerns tied to his spending, but he did not meet that deadline, Atlanta News First reported.
Stockbridge City Council officials opened the inquiry after unspecified “information” was brought to finance officials and the city attorney, though they have not publicly detailed what prompted the review.
Council members voted 5-0 last Friday to approve a resolution limiting some of Williams’ privileges, including suspending his city-issued credit card and barring him from using city-owned vehicles.
Williams has not been charged with any crime. City officials said the temporary restrictions “are designed solely to preserve the integrity of City operations during the investigative process.”
Williams, who became Georgia’s youngest African American mayor earlier this year, has said he has taken legal action to make sure city leaders follow what he described as 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,” read a statement posted to his Facebook page.
Although Williams reportedly did not appear at Stockbridge City Hall to return the property, Mayor Pro Tem Elton Alexander said the city-issued cards could be shut off remotely.
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“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.
