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Wilmington City Council votes to hire outside legal counsel after public allegations against mayor and police
Summary
Wilmington City Council on a unanimous vote authorized hiring outside legal counsel after multiple public commenters raised allegations about city administration actions toward businesses, nonprofits and police; council moved to secure independent legal advice and declared the measure an emergency.
WILMINGTON, Ohio — Wilmington City Council voted unanimously Thursday to authorize hiring additional outside legal counsel as the council and public grappled with allegations about the city administration’s actions toward businesses, nonprofits and police.
The council passed Resolution 25-25, “authorizing Wilmington City Council to hire additional legal counsel and declaring an emergency,” on a roll-call vote after public comment and extended remarks from the mayor and residents.
The measure matters because dozens of speakers during public comment urged an independent review and urged council to address what they described as a culture of distrust. Elaine Silverstrom, a longtime resident, said an independent review and an administrative leave option were needed: “Some form of independent review board… I think the situation needs to be appropriately diffused and very seriously investigated.”
Several other residents made similar appeals. Jason Stoops, who described an unresolved dispute with the city, urged a neutral outside agency: “Those claims warrant further review and possible investigation by a neutral outside agency.” Kelsey Swindler, who attended meetings with Sugar Tree Ministries, said duplicity and gaslighting were undermining efforts to address housing and addiction and asked council to “take these allegations seriously and support further investigation into these claims.”
Mayor Patrick Haley addressed the chamber before the vote, denying wrongdoing and offering to provide documentation to answer questions. “I’m a little shocked, to be honest with you, that some of these charges came my way. I’ve never operated that way… I’m willing to bring the documentation forward with full explanations,” Haley said.
Councilman Wells moved the resolution and Councilman Osborne seconded it. The emergency resolution passed on a roll-call vote with all members recorded as voting yes.
Council members said they expected the outside counsel to advise on process, confidentiality and any next steps; the resolution itself authorized hiring counsel, not a particular investigation company or scope. Council President (presiding officer) confirmed council would update the public at a later meeting.
What the vote does and does not do: the council’s action authorizes legal representation for council and does not itself remove or discipline any city employee. Several public commenters called for independent fact-finding, administrative leave for the mayor and other remedies; council’s resolution creates a formal channel for legal advice but did not set a public investigative timeline at the meeting.
The council agenda stated there would be no additional council meeting until early June, when members said they expected to report back on the hiring process for counsel.
Looking ahead: Council members said they would return with updates; public speakers said they will press for transparency and follow-through.
