Crisis in London: Mayor Faces 14 Misconduct Allegations as City Council Demands Accountability

By Michael R. Grigsby, Editor | Somerset-Pulaski Advocate

Image Courtesy of Tasha Poullard, Lexington Herald-leader.com

Somerset-Kentucky--- (SPA) Tensions Mount in London, Kentucky as City Council Schedules Evidentiary Hearing on Mayor Randall Weddle Amid Growing Controversy A long-simmering conflict in the city government of London escalated Monday night, marking the first formal step in a high-stakes legal and political showdown. The city council has officially set an evidentiary hearing for August 20 to investigate 14 allegations of misconduct against Mayor Randall Weddle—an event that could redefine the city’s leadership and raise deeper concerns about transparency and governance.

The move follows a contentious city council meeting that Mayor Weddle abruptly adjourned after a vote passed in favor of holding a public hearing. While Weddle insists, he maintains the support of the majority of London’s residents, several council members have voiced concerns about what they describe as persistent violations of municipal protocols and state law.

Allegations and Legal Questions

The allegations facing Mayor Weddle range from administrative overreach to alleged violations of state law. According to documents obtained by the council’s legal representatives, Weddle is accused of:

• Hiring individuals for city positions without council approval
• Issuing excessive pay to certain city employees
• Failing to meet residency requirements by not living within city limit

“These are serious matters,” said TJ Roberts, an attorney with Chris Wiest, Attorney at Law, a northern Kentucky law firm representing the city council. “Whether Mayor Weddle is ultimately found to have committed misconduct is a question for the evidentiary hearing.”

Council member Anthony Ortega issued a rare direct statement, emphasizing that the mayor has, in his view, repeatedly bypassed legal requirements. “The mayor has acted as if the Kentucky Revised Statutes are suggestions, not binding law,” Ortega stated. He also criticized the lack of clarity surrounding the London police shooting of Doug Harless—an incident that occurred over eight months ago—with no public answers to date.

A Pattern of Political Discord

The rift between Weddle and some council members is not new. Since Weddle’s election in 2022, tensions have persisted, particularly regarding appointments and council dynamics. Weddle has suggested that the current efforts to scrutinize his conduct are politically motivated and tied to support for his former opponent, Judd Weaver, whom the council later appointed to a vacant seat.

“How does someone lose an election and end up back on the city council?” Weddle said in an interview. “The people did not elect him. One member resigned, and now he is back in city leadership. This is not about law—it is about political payback.”

In response, attorney Roberts countered, “This is not about politics. It is about ensuring the city complies with the law. I do not believe Mr. Weaver introduced the amended articles. Our aim is accountability.”

Calls for Transparency and Accountability

Public trust is now at stake in London, a city where residents have expressed growing concern over the opacity of local governance. Critics argue that the mayor’s actions—and the council’s silence—reflect a broader problem with public transparency. Most council members declined to speak on the record, referring inquiries to legal counsel.

Even as political tempers flare, the legal process now moves forward. Roberts clarified that the vote to hold the evidentiary hearing needed only a majority. However, if the proceedings result in a recommendation for impeachment, it will require a unanimous vote of the council to remove Weddle from office.

Mayor Weddle, for his part, dismissed the allegations as distractions. “The community has too much going on,” he said. “I hate that they’ve chosen now to play petty politics.”

Next Steps

The evidentiary hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on August 20, 2025, at the London Community Center. Members of the public are expected to attend, and the spotlight will be on how the city navigates this moment of reckoning.

As the city prepares for what could be a defining legal proceeding, many residents and civic observers are calling not just for answers—but for a commitment to restoring faith in local government. Whether this hearing delivers that remains to be seen.