A Georgia mayor who claims to be “America's first Black Lives Matter organizer elected to public office” has been accused of spending $26,000 in public funds on fraudulent expenses, mainly on overseas trips.
South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau has faced criticism from residents and at least one City Council member this week. asked a question Fox 5 Atlanta reported that he purchased the items allegedly with a city-issued purchase card.
Kamau is a “self-proclaimed elected activist” and boasts about being a BLM protester in the city. Websitewas a “socialist” who boasted of “eliminating Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples Day” and a “ban the box” bill that required city job applicants to disclose their criminal records. I am aware that there is.
Asked whether the Mayor had made fraudulent purchases, Councilor Helen Willis said: In the last quarter of 2024, it was about $26,000. ”
She claimed that one of her major purchases was a trip to Africa.
“This is primarily a sizable amount of fraudulent claims for international travel,” Willis told the Atlanta station.
Kamau, who was elected in 2017 and is referred to as “Mayor Kobi” on Instagram for unknown reasons, documented his 20-day trip to Ghana on stage in December. said WSB TV.
A video shared by the mayor on December 22 shows him dancing with several smiling women at a popular beach club in the West African capital, Accra.
“I wanted to know if taxpayers paid for this trip,” resident Richard Snellings told the station. “Elected officials should not be asked to go empty-handed so they can travel the world.”
When asked if the city of South Fulton does any business in Africa, Councilman Willis said, “No.”
“As far as I know, it's not a priority,” she told the outlet. “We need more economic development here, and the city doesn't need to go to Africa to sign deals with multiple companies.”
In addition to multiple plane purchases totaling more than $5,000, he also purchased a $1,300 drone and made several large orders from Amazon, according to WSB-TV.
City Councilor Jaycee Sebastian, Mayor Pro-Tem, said Kamau needs to explain.
“There are some things you see out there that need some explanation,” he told Fox 5 Atlanta.
Councilor Linda Pritchett agreed, saying, “I would like the mayor to give us the opportunity to address this issue with transparency.”
Mayors are not prohibited from traveling abroad, but they are prohibited from using Citi Cards for personal items or services.
The local Fox affiliate reported that the City Council ultimately voted to suspend international travel for 30 to 45 days while the ordinance was reviewed.
Kamau has denied any wrongdoing, insisting the accusations are politically motivated.
“This is truly a smear campaign. You can see from the meeting that the people who are speaking the most are running for mayor in 2025,” the mayor told WSB-TV.
Kamau is arrested According to a report by 11Alive, the suspect allegedly bypassed a “no trespassing” sign on a property in the neighboring town of Fairburn and entered a lakeside home without permission. was charged with trespassing and robbery.
The homeowner pointed a gun at Kamau and called police. When officers arrived, the mayor claimed he had intentionally trespassed because he had been to a nearby park with his dog, found his “dream home,” and wanted to buy it.
He was later released on $11,000 bail.
