Stonecrest mayor faces possible censure as council seeks outside review

Stonecrest City Council members are considering whether to formally censure Mayor Jazzmin Cobble after a June 25 confrontation with Finance Director Keisha Franklin. The council has also sought outside assistance to help determine how the incident should be reviewed.

No final censure decision has been confirmed. Stonecrest officials have not disclosed the scope or status of any formal investigation.

What the police report alleges

The confrontation began over a check for Cobble’s hotel accommodations for a conference in Savannah, according to a police report described by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Franklin alleged that Cobble became verbally aggressive, shouted an expletive and demanded that the check be printed immediately or Franklin find another job.

Franklin also told police that she felt threatened and tried to lock herself in her office. The report says Cobble blocked the door and continued yelling before Franklin came outside and the exchange ended in a brief shouting match.

Those details remain allegations contained in a police report. They are not an independent finding that misconduct occurred.

What the council discussed

The city’s July 2 special-called meeting agenda listed “The Consideration of a Resolution to Censure the Mayor” as a discussion item. The agenda did not establish that censure had been approved, and the available meeting records do not confirm a final action.

During the meeting, City Manager Cathy Turner read a statement attributed to Franklin. Cobble also read a statement from her attorney, Bryan Tyson, who argued that the city charter requires a formal investigation before the council considers censure or publicly discusses the matter.

Cobble later said she and her attorney expect the city to follow its policies so that the facts can be presented and considered through a fair process.

Why outside assistance is involved

After the incident, the council asked the Georgia Municipal Association for help because Stonecrest’s Human Resources director was unavailable at the time, according to the AJC.

GMA provided contacts for investigation and audit resources, recommendations for human-resources consultants, and referrals to other cities that have handled similar situations. The contacts included the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

That does not mean GMA or the University of Georgia conducted an investigation. The available reporting indicates that GMA supplied possible resources and contacts, while Stonecrest officials have not publicly identified who, if anyone, will conduct a formal review.

What residents should watch next

The key unanswered questions are whether the council will introduce or approve a censure resolution, who will review the confrontation, what records or testimony will be examined, and when any findings will be made public.

Residents should monitor future Stonecrest council agendas, meeting minutes and videos for an investigation update or a new censure item. The city’s meeting directory lists a July 27 council meeting but does not show minutes or an outcome resolving the issue. The City Council information page lists a work session for August 10, 2026.

Sources

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution report
• Stonecrest July 2 City Council agenda
• Stonecrest City Council meeting page