Mayor in sex-for-water scandal urged to resign

More than 200 residents in the US are calling for the resignation of their mayor, who has been arrested on charges that he sought sex from two women in exchange for special treatment on their water bills.

Waldron’s city council in Arkansas does not have the authority to fire Anderson. If the mayor is convicted of charges, a court can remove him from office.

“All of it’s premature,” said Ronald Killion, who spoke in favour of keeping Anderson in office at a meeting on Thursday. “The man’s simply been charged and not been convicted of anything.”

Anderson was arrested in May and was charged with two felony counts of abuse of public trust and four misdemeanour counts of patronising a prostitute.

One woman told investigators she had been having sex with Anderson for money for eight to 10 years, according to an affidavit.

She said Anderson paid her $25 per encounter and $60 for a late water deposit. He also allowed her to change the name on her overdue water bill to keep the service running, the affidavit said.

The other woman said Anderson had tried to solicit sex from her for several years because of her delinquent water account, and police allege Anderson paid the woman $100 for sex after she asked him for help in a state custody matter involving her granddaughter.