A Historic Step for Fairburn – and for Georgia
- Samantha Hudson
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
I have taken an unprecedented step: filing a lawsuit against the City of Fairburn, the Mayor, and city leadership to protect the rights of every citizen I represent. This action isn’t just about me—it’s about history. For Fairburn, and for the state of Georgia, this fight marks a defining moment for transparency, accountability, and fair government.
Why This Matters
As your elected councilmember, I swore an oath to serve as a trustee of the people. The Georgia Constitution is clear: public officials are trustees and servants of the people—accountable to you at all times. Yet for two years, my repeated requests for records about city spending, contracts, ARPA funds, and legal bills have been ignored. Without access to these records, I cannot vote responsibly on your behalf. And when my voice is silenced, so is yours.
The Mayor and City Attorney have used obstruction as a weapon, and three councilmembers—Hattie Portis-Jones, Linda Davis, Alex Heath, and others—have chosen to sit in silence, rubber-stamping whatever comes before them. That is not neutrality. That is complicity.
The Ethics Decision and the Lies
Most recently, during the so-called ethics process, the City Clerk accused me of violating confidentiality by sharing a cease-and-desist letter. But here’s the truth: the Mayor’s “complaint” was emailed to the entire Council on August 6. Every member had it. That receipt is in my attorney’s hands. A lie told with confidence is still a lie.
And let’s talk about Brenda James’ so-called HR complaint—it still hasn’t been produced. Why? Because this was never about ethics, never about HR. This is all Mayor Avery, running scared. He is using taxpayer dollars to hire lawyers without Council approval, spoiling public records, and leaning on a council majority and biased city staff who allow him to go unchecked.
If those same members truly cared about fair government, they would have already addressed the $10 million that vanished under Mario Avery’s former term in office. But they didn’t—because this isn’t about good government for them. It’s personal.
A hearing was held without me, and they lied by saying I refused to attend and knowingly left is a lie. That is false, and those responsible will be held liable. I was denied due process.
Putting My Own Money on the Line
This lawsuit is not funded with taxpayer dollars. I am using my own private funds to take this action, because your tax dollars deserve protection. This is me putting skin in the game—because government doesn’t belong to the Mayor, the City Attorney, or a complicit council majority. It belongs to the people.
A Call to the Community
Fairburn, this fight is for you. It is for every taxpayer who deserves to know where their money is going, and every voter who demands leaders who stand for truth, not corruption.
Things to remember:
“A lie told with confidence is still a lie—and Fairburn will not be fooled.”
“When leaders hide the truth, it’s not politics. It’s corruption.”
“You can silence my microphone, but you will never silence the truth.”
“This lawsuit isn’t just about me. It’s about protecting every taxpayer in Fairburn.”
“Ten million dollars vanished under Mario Avery’s watch once. How many more millions will disappear if nobody stops him?”
Stay tuned. I will not stop seeking fair government. I will not stop demanding accountability. The people of Fairburn deserve nothing less.
Get ready. I’m not backing down-
Please review the lawsuit filed in Fulton County Superior Court
Dr. Samantha Hudson, MSW, DPA
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