What’s next in former London mayor’s impeachment? Appeal process is ongoing
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Judge declined injunction but approved expedited appeal in mayor's removal case
- City council cited misconduct in vote removing Weddle from London mayor post
- Judge warned officials to avoid major changes during ongoing legal proceedings
Former London Mayor Randall Weddle is awaiting a ruling from a judge in his appeal against the London City Council after he was removed from office this month.
Weddle was impeached on Sept. 5 after the council unanimously agreed that the former mayor committed misconduct or willful neglect on three of 11 charges filed against him. After an acting mayor was appointed, Weddle filed an appeal seeking to reverse his removal.
He has been accused of misusing city police department funds for a personal protection detail, leaving vacant an ethics commission seat and illegally signing a $5 million mortgage on behalf of the city without council approval.
Weddle was not convicted of any criminal activity. Shortly after the impeachment hearing, The council appointed Tracie Handley, a London resident and retired trial science consultant, as acting mayor.
Weddle’s appeal was first brought to court last Friday, where he and his attorney, Carmine Iaccarino, asked the judge assigned to the case for a temporary injunction on the council’s vote and an expedited briefing.
David Williams, Vice Chief Regional Circuit Judge of the 40th Judicial Circuit did not enter the injunction, which would have allowed Weddle to return from office. However, Williams did grant the motion for expedited briefing, and the council and Handley had until Wednesday, September 24, to file additional arguments.
Weddle would then have five days to respond to the additional arguments made by the council and Handley before Williams takes all the briefings into consideration for his ruling. Court documents say Williams intends to move expeditiously in the case.
Williams also gave the council an admonition to “move forward very gingerly” during the appeals process, court documents say.
Specifically, Williams asked the council and Handley to avoid making big moves while the appeal is ongoing, such as mass firings, changing department heads or enacting any major policy decisions within city government.
“I think we are all hopeful for a quick decision,” said attorney Christopher Wiest, who represents the council.
Handley did not respond to a request for comment.
“I don’t want any mass firings, changing the department heads or any major policy decisions, they should hold that in abeyance right now until I determine if this mayor gets the opportunity to do his elected duty or not,” Williams said.
Iaccarino said he hoped Williams would grant the appeal, but was pleased with Williams’ admonition. Williams also asked Iaccarino to report any big moves made by the council or Handley during the appeals process.
Iaccarino said he doesn’t plan to report the termination of Larry Bryson, who had served as London city attorney since the late 1980s before he was fired by Handley on Sept. 15 for insubordination.
Iaccarino also thinks Williams’ admonition is a good thing for city employees who may fear their employment is in jeopardy.
“When you have any new regime coming in, there is always the concern that they’re going to do firings and replace people with their people,” Iaccarino said. “That type of uncertainty would unsettle anybody, and that of course is going to have an impact on moral, it’s going to have an impact on city services, and I think unfortunately we’re likely seeing that in London.”
Iaccarino said his client is in good spirits in the early stages of the appeals process and is sincerely interested in serving London citizens again.
“Every day that ticks away since what we believe was an unlawful removal is one less day that he has to serve the people of the city of London,” Iaccarino said.
