Asheville Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley has come under investigation following discrepancies in her residency status and property tax claims. Records have surfaced indicating she may have benefited from tax exemptions in Georgia while serving in public office in North Carolina. The case has garnered significant attention from local media and election officials.
In 2024, documents revealed that Mosley authorized two Georgia-based companies, LGB Realty and Development and The Vinson Group, to manage property tax matters for her Atlanta residence. Specifically, a form electronically signed on July 22, 2024, permitted LGB Realty to challenge property taxes on her behalf with the Fulton County Assessor's Office. This resulted in a reduced property valuation, diminishing the tax burden. Payments to these services were traceable through a Venmo account transaction in May.
Mosley has publicly asserted her lack of awareness regarding the exemptions until recently, attributing her Georgia tax dealings to a mortgage company. However, mortgage records contradict this claim, as she agreed to inhabit the Atlanta property as her primary residence for at least a year post-possession, with lender consent required for any changes. Her agreements from 2016 and 2024 list the Atlanta address as her mailing address, potentially conflicting with her voter registration and office-holding in North Carolina.
Prior to her Asheville relocation, Mosley practiced law in Atlanta and served as Mountain Housing Opportunities' director of philanthropy between 2016 and 2019. Within this timeframe, she also voted in North Carolina, conflicting with the mortgage's occupancy stipulations.
Eugene Ellison, Mosley's attorney, refrained from commenting on the mortgage specifics but assured that any discrepancies would be rectified, and outstanding taxes settled if necessary. Mosley's appointment to Asheville City Council occurred in 2020, followed by electoral victories in 2022 and 2024. Despite the controversy, voter registration records confirm her Asheville address as her primary residence.
Fulton County documents, however, expose that Mosley received a homestead exemption on her Atlanta property, a benefit exclusively for Georgia's legal primary residents. This exemption significantly reduced her property's taxable value, leading to substantial tax savings. The Buncombe County Board of Elections, responsible for verifying candidate eligibility based on primary residency within the district, has not mandated municipal action regarding these concerns.
The North Carolina Board of Elections acknowledged receipt of a complaint but has not initiated a formal inquiry. The forthcoming election filing deadline will bring clarity as the Buncombe County Board of Elections, and potential formal challenges, scrutinize Mosley's dual property claims for any legal or political implications.
This situation sheds light on the complexities officials face when owning property in multiple states, emphasizing the need for transparency in residency verification to adhere to tax and election regulations. As Mosley proceeds with her re-election bid, she maintains her commitment to Asheville, as noted in her statement to the Citizen Times: “Asheville is home, and I remain committed to showing up for our neighborhoods, our families, and the shared future we’re building together.” She and her legal representation insist on her proper residency status in Asheville, while any tax issues in Georgia are being handled through appropriate avenues.
The unfolding events underscore the intricate nature of homestead exemptions and voter registration, especially when states possess varying occupancy requirements. Asheville's community and its election oversight bodies will closely monitor the development of this case as it unfolds.
