Snellville mayor resigns after plea deal

The city will decide in January what to do about his absence.

Snellville Mayor Tom Witts has submitted his resignation effective immediately, city officials confirmed Tuesday.

The city will make a formal decision next month on how to address his permanent absence.

“Necessary legal actions concerning appointments and/or special elections” will be addressed at the City Council’s next meeting on Jan. 14, following consultation with the city attorney, Snellville spokesman Brian Arrington said in an emailed statement.

The statement also thanked Witts, who was a city councilman for several years before being elected mayor, for his service.

Witts entered a plea deal Monday in the wide-ranging criminal case against him, which included accusations of tax evasion and the misuse of campaign funds. His resignation was a condition of the deal, which allowed him to serve six months of house arrest and 10 years’ probation in lieu of jail time.

Witts had voluntarily suspended himself following his September 2017 indictment but had not resigned his post. Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Bender had been fulfilling his duties.

The city’s legal interpretation of how long was left on Witts’ term will decide how his replacement is chosen.

Snellville’s city ordinances call for vacancies on the City Council or the mayor’s position to be filled by appointment if less than 12 months are left on the vacated official’s term. Otherwise, they are to be filled by special election.

Witts was first elected in November 2015 and would’ve been up for re-election next fall.

“We thank all our citizens for their support and understanding throughout this process,” Arrington’s statement said.

CONTRIBUTED BY STEVE SCHAEFER Former Mayor Tom Witts’ resignation was a condition of the deal, which allows him to serve house arrest and probation in lieu of jail time.