SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — Former South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass, ending a legal case that once threatened to go to trial but leaving lingering questions about accountability, public trust, and leadership.
Kamau entered the plea in Fulton County court for a 2023 incident in which prosecutors said he unlawfully entered a private lakehouse property. As part of the plea agreement, a more serious felony burglary charge was dismissed. Under the sentence, Kamau must serve 12 months of probation, complete 40 hours of community service, and pay a $500 fine. He also publicly apologized in court, acknowledging the incident and thanking the court for resolving the matter.
Just weeks ago, the case appeared headed for a jury trial after prosecutors and defense attorneys failed to reach an agreement. The misdemeanor plea abruptly ended the legal proceedings in a politically charged case — not only because of the allegation itself but also because of Kamau’s profile as a sitting mayor and national activist.
Kamau, who has described himself as “America’s first #BlackLivesMatter organizer elected to public office,” previously claimed the case was politically motivated, arguing that the trespassing charge reflected racialized enforcement patterns used against outspoken Black leaders. Critics, however, countered that his political identity did not exempt him from legal accountability and noted the incident contributed to broader concerns about his administration.
The legal case came amid a backdrop of political and financial scrutiny. An independent audit released earlier in 2025 flagged nearly $70,000 in city-issued credit card expenditures during Kamau’s tenure, citing unapproved travel, meals, streaming services, and other charges. Kamau defended the spending as mission-driven, but the audit intensified criticism from city officials and residents. In November 2025, voters removed Kamau from office, delivering an electoral rebuke parallel to the ongoing legal case.
While the misdemeanor plea avoids a felony conviction and a jury trial, the resolution does not end the broader conversations about governance, transparency, and trust in South Fulton. The city continues to grapple with questions of accountability and leadership that extend beyond the courtroom.
