The Brief
- An emergency hearing was called after Mayor Jayden Williams filed a civil lawsuit challenging the Stockbridge City Council’s decision to strip his administrative privileges amid an ongoing probe.
- Council Member LaKeisha Gantt testified that the council acted after reviewing a police report regarding allegations of sexual misconduct involving an 11th-grade male student who was 18 at the time and part of a city-affiliated mayor mentorship program.
- Defense attorneys cross-examined Gantt regarding emails, text messages, and social media posts where she suggested Williams resign, though Gantt maintained she could remain an impartial decision-maker during upcoming council removal proceedings.
STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. – Testimony during a civil court hearing Thursday shed light on allegations involving Stockbridge Mayor Jayden Williams, including allegations involving explicit text messages sent to an 18-year-old high school student.
Jayden Williams v City of Stockbridge
What we know:
Thursday’s emergency court hearing stems directly from a civil lawsuit filed by Mayor Jayden Williams against the City of Stockbridge after the City Council voted in July to restrict some of his administrative mayoral privileges.
During the proceedings, Council Member LaKeisha Gantt took the stand under cross-examination and testified that the council acted out of caution to protect the city from potential legal liability.…