Kentucky Court of Appeals denies London City Council’s request to remove Mayor Weddle again

LONDON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Kentucky Court of Appeals has denied an emergency request from the London City Council to once again remove Mayor Randall Weddle from office while the city’s appeal continues.

According to the court’s order, issued Tuesday (October 21), the council and several city officials had asked for “expedited intermediate relief” — essentially a request to temporarily reverse a lower court ruling that reinstated Weddle as mayor last month. The appellate judges said that request was denied, meaning Weddle will remain in office while the case moves forward.

The order explains that the council had unanimously voted in August to oust Weddle, citing several alleged violations, including authorizing a $5 million note without council approval, failing to fill a vacancy on the city’s ethics commission, and not properly publishing an ordinance. Weddle appealed that decision, and in September, Laurel Circuit Judge David Williams ruled the council did not have sufficient grounds for his removal and ordered his immediate reinstatement.

In the new filing, the city’s attorneys argued that Weddle’s return to office could disrupt ongoing city business and legal matters, including a state audit and multiple lawsuits against the city. However, the Court of Appeals found no legal basis to suspend the lower court’s ruling, saying there was no “irreparable harm” shown and that Weddle remains the duly elected mayor.

The appellate judges also noted the public’s interest in having the official chosen by voters remain in office unless a final ruling says otherwise.

The case now continues in the Kentucky Court of Appeals, which will later decide whether the council’s original decision to remove Weddle was legally valid.