Councilwoman Hudson Responds to False Reporting on “Impeachment” Narrative By Dr. Samantha L. Hudson, MSW, DPA – Fairburn City CouncilwomanPublished: October 2025 | FairburnForward.com

Setting the Record Straight

This week, The Fulton Neighbor published an article titled “Fairburn Councilwoman Faces Impeachment After Ethics Hearing.”Let me be absolutely clear — that headline is misleading, politically charged, and factually wrong.

There is no impeachment proceeding in Fairburn. What exists is a politically motivated ethics inquiry that lacks due process and is being used to retaliate against me for challenging misuse of power, budget mismanagement, and the Mayor’s pattern of overreach.

“The article’s framing of an ‘impeachment’ is sensational and wrong,” I said. “There is no valid impeachment proceeding. What exists is a politically charged ethics inquiry, launched without due process and used as a weapon against dissenting councilmembers.”

Misrepresentation of Facts and Process

Under Georgia municipal law, a city councilmember cannot simply be “impeached.”Any disciplinary action must follow the city charter and established ethics ordinances — neither of which has been properly invoked or approved by the full Council.

The Mayor has repeatedly acted without Council authorization, including hiring outside legal counsel and initiating reports like the Nelson Mullins investigation without a public vote. Those actions alone violate our charter and the balance of power the law demands.

“The Mayor has repeatedly bypassed council approval and abused procedural authority,” I continued. “What we are seeing is not a lawful process, but retaliation against transparency and accountability.”

Retaliation, Bias, and Defamation

This so-called “ethics hearing” is nothing more than a continuation of targeted retaliation — a pattern that began when I started asking questions about financial decisions, transparency, and the use of public funds.

Let’s be clear:

• I have never refused to participate in any lawful hearing.

• I have, however, refused to participate in politically staged events designed to silence my voice and undermine my credibility.

“I have never refused to participate in any lawful proceeding,” I stated. “What I won’t participate in is a politically staged event orchestrated to silence my voice and smear my reputation.”

The Fulton Neighbor article failed to confirm key facts and instead amplified one-sided claims that align neatly with the administration’s narrative. That is not journalism — that’s propaganda. To print such accusations without proof is not only reckless, it borders on defamation.

My Commitment to the People of Fairburn

Despite the noise and negativity, I remain committed to the people I serve.Fairburn residents deserve leadership rooted in honesty, transparency, and courage — not political games and selective enforcement of “decorum.”

“The residents of Fairburn deserve better than political games and media spin,” I said. “I will continue to fight for transparency, good governance, and ethical leadership — even when it’s unpopular with those in power.”

My work continues — for fairness, accountability, and a city government that serves everyone, not just those in the Mayor’s inner circle.

About Dr. Hudson

Dr. Samantha L. Hudson serves on the Fairburn City Council, elected in 2023. She holds a Doctorate in Public Administration (DPA) and a Master’s in Social Work (MSW). Her professional background spans ethics, community engagement, and organizational leadership. Her public service is guided by one principle: good government must be transparent, accountable, and people-centered.