LONDON, Kentucky — Randall Weddle, the mayor of London, is asking a court to move his felony campaign finance case out of Laurel County, arguing he was out of the country when the alleged violations occurred.
Charges Linked to Campaign Contributions
Weddle was indicted in March on four felony counts tied to excessive campaign donations. Prosecutors allege he funneled more than $200,000 to Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Democratic Party using funds attributed to family members and business associates—potentially violating donor contribution limits.
The case was brought by Russell Coleman following a grand jury investigation.
Defense Points to Bahamas Cruise
In a court filing, Weddle’s attorney argued that the mayor was on a chartered, nine-day cruise in Nassau at the time the donations were made in late December 2022.
The defense claims:
- Weddle was not physically present in Laurel County when the transactions occurred
- The online donation system experienced technical issues
- The mayor reported the issue once he became aware
According to the filing, the donations were later refunded to Weddle’s credit card by the recipients.
Legal Argument Over Intent and Location
Weddle’s legal team maintains that campaign finance violations require proof that actions were done knowingly. They argue that because the contributions were refunded, no unlawful donations ultimately occurred.
The motion also contends that key actions related to the transactions took place outside Laurel County—potentially making Franklin Circuit Court a more appropriate venue for the case.
Ongoing Legal and Political Challenges
Weddle is scheduled to be arraigned in Laurel County next week. As part of the conditions, he must surrender his passport and is restricted from international travel while the case is pending.
The mayor is also facing mounting political pressure, including scrutiny from the city council and a separate federal investigation into his administration’s alleged misuse of government systems.