Asheville Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley is under scrutiny after records show she claimed property tax exemptions in Georgia while registering to vote and holding office in North Carolina.
The revelations have raised questions about her compliance with both state election and tax laws, drawing attention from local media and election officials.
Documents obtained by NC Local indicate that in 2024, Mosley authorized two Georgia companies, LGB Realty and Development and The Vinson Group, to file for homestead exemptions and handle property tax matters for her Atlanta residence.
A form electronically signed on July 22, 2024, allowed LGB Realty to appeal property taxes with the Fulton County Assessor’s Office.
A hearing this spring resulted in a reduction of the property’s valuation from $526,000 to $490,000. Payment for the services was recorded through a publicly available Venmo account in May.
Mosley has said she was unaware of the exemptions until recently and claimed she addressed her Georgia taxes through a mortgage company.
Mortgage documents, however, show she agreed to occupy the Atlanta property as her primary residence for at least one year after taking possession unless the lender approved otherwise.
She signed mortgage agreements in both 2016 and 2024, listing her Atlanta address as her mailing address.
The occupancy clause could raise questions about whether her voter registration and office-holding in North Carolina conflicted with her obligations under Georgia law.
Before relocating to Asheville, Mosley practiced law in Atlanta and later served as director of philanthropy at Mountain Housing Opportunities from 2016 to 2019.
Records also show she voted in North Carolina during 2017, within the one-year occupancy window outlined in the mortgage clause.
Her attorney, Eugene Ellison, declined to comment on mortgage specifics but stated that any discrepancies would be resolved and back taxes paid if necessary.
Mosley was appointed to Asheville City Council in 2020 to fill a vacancy and was subsequently elected in 2022 and again in 2024. Her party affiliation is unknown.
Voter registration records list her Asheville residence as her primary address.
Meanwhile, Fulton County records indicate she claimed a homestead exemption on her Atlanta property, a benefit available only to legal primary residents of Georgia.
The exemption reduced the taxable value of the property by as much as $118,000 in a single year, saving thousands in annual taxes.
The Buncombe County Board of Elections oversees candidate eligibility, requiring registration at a primary residence within the district. City Attorney Brad Branham said residency concerns do not currently require municipal action.
ABC 13 reports that the North Carolina Board of Elections confirmed that a complaint had been referred to them but said no formal investigation has yet been opened.
Complaints can originate from political parties, candidates or private citizens and are handled through hearings that can escalate to the State Board of Elections if necessary.
Mosley has filed to seek another term on City Council, citing her commitment to the Asheville community.
In a statement to the Citizen Times, she said, “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 attorney maintain that she is a resident of Asheville and properly registered, while any Georgia tax matters are being addressed through appropriate administrative channels.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by officials who own property across state lines, including verifying primary residency while complying with tax and election rules.
It also underscores the complexities of homestead exemptions and voter registration, particularly when occupancy requirements differ between states.
As the election filing deadline approaches, the Buncombe County Board of Elections and potential formal challenges will determine whether Mosley’s dual property claims present legal or political issues.
