Kwasi Fraser turned to artificial intelligence for help with almost everything during his tenure as Purcellville’s interim town manager—from rewriting emails to interpreting procurement law to crafting responses about his own felony charges.
The Times-Mirror obtained a 552-page transcript of Fraser’s interactions with ChatGPT on the town’s account, revealing how the former mayor, now on paid administrative leave awaiting trial on two felony bid rigging charges, delegated crucial municipal decisions to the AI platform throughout his seven-month tenure.
ChatGPT Drafted Official Communications
Fraser routinely asked ChatGPT to rewrite his correspondence with town staff, council members and officials. He requested emails be composed in the styles of business luminaries and political figures, seeking to add gravitas to routine municipal matters.
For discussions about PFAS removal from town wells, Fraser instructed the AI to mimic Andrew Grove’s tone. When addressing town council about why he could not accept the permanent manager position, he wanted the message crafted in the voice of Peggy Noonan, the renowned presidential speechwriter.
The reliance on ChatGPT extended beyond stylistic flourishes. Fraser used the platform to develop strategies for reducing general fund chargebacks, exploring options to outsource utilities to Loudoun Water and transfer resources from utility funds.
Legal Questions and Procurement Processes
The ChatGPT logs show Fraser seeking legal interpretations from the AI system. He asked whether super majority votes were required for budget adoption in Purcellville. The AI said no.
He inquired about small purchases he could authorize without competitive bidding. When ChatGPT outlined the process, Fraser followed up with a specific scenario: Could he hire a consultant for $12,000 to assess the police department without procurement procedures?
ChatGPT confirmed he could, provided the hiring complied with the Virginia Public Procurement Act and town policies. The AI added that best practices required documenting the selection justification, ensuring no conflicts of interest existed and obtaining written scopes of work.
Fraser also sought AI assistance in responding to council members who accused him of illegal procurement practices related to a pre-bid meeting with a vendor later selected for a contract. ChatGPT advised him to assert his legal authority, defend his professionalism, request legal review and stand by the procurement decision.
Questions About Council Dynamics and Partnerships
The transcript reveals Fraser asked whether deleted text messages between himself and the sheriff could be subject to Freedom of Information Act requests in Virginia. ChatGPT informed him they could be.
Fraser’s queries ranged from procedural to definitional. He asked ChatGPT whether a town council member could remain in office while simultaneously suing the town. He sought advice on responding when committee members expressed fear about attending meetings with someone under investigation.
He also posed questions about facilities management staffing impacts and requested definitions for basic terms, including what a dais is and what Stockholm Syndrome means.
The logs show Fraser using ChatGPT to draft correspondence about potential partnerships between Purcellville and Loudoun Water. He asked the AI to compose letters scheduling meetings with Loudoun Water officials to discuss collaboration opportunities.
Fraser positioned Purcellville as uniquely suited for PFAS research partnerships, highlighting the town’s working laboratory and infrastructure assets. He envisioned pilot programs that could shape regional and national solutions before 2029 regulatory deadlines.
No Response from Fraser
The Times-Mirror contacted both Fraser and his attorney John Boneta for comment on the ChatGPT usage, but neither responded to requests.
The 552-page document does not include exact dates for each ChatGPT interaction, but it provides an extensive window into how Fraser managed municipal responsibilities during his seven months as interim town manager before being placed on paid administrative leave.
Broader Implications for Municipal Governance
The transcript raises questions about the appropriate role of artificial intelligence in municipal governance, particularly whether critical decisions affecting a town of more than 10,000 residents should rely on automated responses generated by AI-powered chatbots rather than human expertise, legal counsel, and collaborative deliberation.
Source: Loudoun Times
