City Council in Kennesaw left with vacancy after Councilman resigns hours before DUI arraignment

Robert “Trey” Sinclair, a member of the Kennesaw City Council, resigned from his position on Monday night, just hours before his scheduled arraignment on charges of drunk driving and hit-and-run stemming from a June 28 wreck.

The announcement of his resignation was made during the council comment section of Monday night’s work session and leaves a vacancy on their governing body that will be filled by a special election.

Instead of citing his DUI, Sinclair cited his imminent move outside the city limits at the end of the month as the reason for his resignation. His resignation came as a surprise to fellow council members Tracy Viars and Madelyn Orochena, with Orochena suspecting that the timing, close to the arraignment, might not be a coincidence.

Sinclair was not present in court for the DUI charges on Tuesday. He was represented by his attorney, who filed a request to move the case to a jury trial.

Charges against Sinclair relate to a June 28 crash on Cobb Parkway, where he allegedly caused a three-car pileup and fled the scene. The police report states that Sinclair rear-ended a stopped vehicle in traffic, causing a chain reaction collision.

He admitted involvement but did not call 911, leaving the scene after a lengthy wait for a police response. Officers located Sinclair at his business, Dry County Brewing, where he exhibited signs of impairment.

Police noted in their report Sinclair’s strong smell of alcohol, his stumbling, and his refusal to provide a breath sample. In addition to the legal issues, Sinclair is facing a lawsuit from Fifth Third Bank, filed in November, alleging over $800,000 in defaulted loans by his brewery.

Sinclair, elected in 2021, had a term set to expire in 2025, leaving a vacant Kennesaw council seat for the third time in three years. The city is collaborating with the Cobb Board of Elections and Registrations to schedule qualifying and special elections, expected to take place in the spring, according to a statement from the Kennesaw City Government.