Stockbridge council initiates process that could lead to mayor’s removal

The city has hired an independent investigator to review more than $4,000 spent on donations and purchases made by the 22-year-old mayor at restaurants, stores and elsewhere using city-issued purchasing cards.

Williams, the youngest mayor in the city’s history, has publicly offered detailed explanations for several of the allegations, which he has characterized as a political attack. Last month, the council restricted Williams’ access to city property and suspended purchasing card and fuel card privileges, as well as his use of city-owned vehicles.

In a lawsuit filed last month in Henry County Superior Court, Williams asked the court to restore his access to the mayor’s office, official email, records and other property to perform his duties.

In an “emergency motion” filed Thursday, the mayor’s attorney asks a judge to prevent the Aug. 15 investigative hearing and to prohibit the council from voting to remove Williams. The attorney, Robert Kenner Jr., argues the hearing would violate the city’s own charter because the city did not give Williams proper notice.

The charter says an elected official facing an effort by City Council to remove them must receive a written notice specifying the grounds for removal. The official is entitled to a public hearing that must be held at least 10 days from the time the written notice is received, the charter says.

In an affidavit that accompanies the emergency motion, Williams says that as of Thursday he had not received a final written notice laying out “all grounds upon which the City intends to rely” during the proposed hearing Aug. 15.

The mayor’s affidavit adds he is scheduled to meet with the independent investigator, Richard Hyde, only four days before the hearing date.

“Because I have not received final written charges, the investigator’s final report, the evidence to be presented, a witness list or the procedures governing the hearing, I have not been afforded a meaningful opportunity to review the city’s case, prepare a response, identify and prepare witnesses or otherwise prepare a defense,” the mayor’s affidavit says.

Credit: (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Council member Gantt told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday that Hyde has been having trouble getting Williams to meet with him, a claim that Kenner disputed.

Gantt added that although Hyde’s investigation is incomplete, “they have enough information to produce the mayor and council so that we can proceed with the hearing.”

Reached by phone on Friday, Hyde confirmed he has not completed his investigation, saying: “I haven’t made any conclusions yet on any of this.”

Asked whether he thinks he’ll be ready to present evidence on Aug. 15, Hyde said: “Well, I’m moving with all deliberate speed, but when or if there’s a hearing is above my pay grade.”

Gantt said the council scheduled the hearing for a Saturday at 5 p.m. because it wants to hold it as soon as possible. She said she does not know if Williams received a written notice but that he received a verbal notice in that he was presiding over Wednesday’s meeting when council members set the investigative hearing date.

Gantt said that should be good enough.

“We’re going to proceed with this investigative hearing,” Gantt told the AJC, adding that the controversy threatens to further divide the city. “Now we can wait, we can extend it for days, and whatever. But the city is suffering.”