Richard Lord is the ex-mayor of Blue Ridge, Georgia. He served the city for 10 years in which he cut crime by half, built public housing for seniors, and revamped education. A few months before the election, a video leaked of the mayor partying, smoking weed, and gambling. The press was quick to label him as the face of corruption.
Headlines in the national papers read: Public Official with Hidden Agenda, Dick Lord, Marijuana Major, Politician Leaves Party — Heads to After-Party. He was interrogated by the city’s police department, which he had largely defunded, and was pressured to snitch on the “thugs he partied with,” an unfounded allegation which was later found to be racially motivated. The mayor kept his mouth shut, there was nothing to say, but the damage was done: Public opinion had shifted and he was forced to resign. He says it is the best thing that has happened to him as he can now party in peace.