Tuesday, August 29, 2023–10:30 a.m.
-John Bailey, Rome News-Tribune-
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com.
Leveling accusations that Rome Mayor Sundai Stevenson had perjured herself, a former congressional staffer for 14th District U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene demanded Stevenson resign.
In addressing the Rome City Commission during their Monday meeting, Justin Kelley cited the fact that Stevenson held a notary license in Gordon County during her tenure as a Rome commissioner.
He stated that Stevenson had signed legal documents swearing that she was a resident of Gordon County from 2013 until 2018 when she resigned from that post. She has been a city commissioner since 2015.
Kelley, who co-hosts a local conservative political podcast, stated that any reasonable person would conclude that Stevenson perjured herself in Gordon County or that the mayor perjured herself in Rome. He then demanded that Stevenson resign from her role as mayor and as a Rome City Commissioner.
Stating that Stevenson had “committed any number of felonious actions” and intimating that she should face criminal prosecution, Kelley then turned to the seated commissioners.
“If the mayor refuses to do what’s right, it’s up to you,” he said, stating they could remove her from her post. None of the city commissioners replied, other than Stevenson, who said “Thank you.”
Kelley provided a packet titled “Evidence against Mayor of Rome, Ga. Sundai Alexis Strickland Stevenson” to the Rome News-Tribune.
The newspaper could not verify the contents of that packet by press time on Monday. However, in that packet, a letter dated September 2018, from the Gordon County Superior Court, states that Stevenson needed to provide residency in that county or her notary commission would be revoked. Stevenson resigned from the post that October.
One person, Vincent Mendes, who had come to speak about noise on Broad Street, addressed Kelley’s speech. He noted that Kelley is a staffer for the controversial Republican congresswoman and said it was hypocritical for a person who worked for Greene to make those accusations. Mendes pointed to the fact that she moved to Rome in order to run for the 14th District seat.
Referring to the accusations as “crap,” Mendes asked rhetorically whether Rome voters were to consider made-up allegations rather than casting a ballot.
