Hernando, Mississippi mayor Chip Johnson confirmed Friday that a woman he was romantically involved with sent a naked photo of him to city aldermen, local media reported.
The photo, which shows Johnson nude in the shower, was emailed to some city officials with the subject line “your mayor.”
Johnson told The Clarion-Ledger that the photo was meant to stay private between two consenting adults and he does not know why the woman sent the photo to city officials.
He called his relationship with the woman a “private indiscretion” when reached by The Commercial Appeal, which noted Johnson is currently getting divorced.
While the mayor said he regrets sending the photo, he was adamant that it won’t affect his work.
“I wish it had not been sent, obviously,” Johnson said. “Of course, it was something very stupid that should not have been done. I guess I’m paying the price.”
There were conflicting reports about when the photo was sent. Multiple local outlets said it was sent the day after Christmas, while a Mississippi newspaper reported the picture was sent earlier this week.
Reached by news station WMC, the woman, who was not identified, said she would let Johnson comment on the photo.
Johnson has served as mayor of Hernando since 2005.
