The FBI searched – and removed an extensive amount of material – from a home owned by former London Mayor Randall Weddle Tuesday morning, and here are a few things that can be said about the status of the FBI investigation.
The FBI raid was a big and unusual operation
A large number of FBI agents descended on a Laurel County home of former London Mayor Randall Weddle before dawn on Tuesday. WKYT in Lexington reported neighbors were taken aback by the number of agents. Throughout the day “dozens of FBI agents went in and out” of the house “while people stood and watched.”
LEX18 reported that the action lasted more than six hours with agents carrying boxes from the house to a green tent set up by the FBI. Video aired by both Lexington stations and other news outlets showed numerous FBI agents and vehicles including a large black van labeled “Evidence Response Team.”
The FBI released only a short statement to Kentucky Lantern about the matter. “FBI Louisville conducted court-authorized activity today off of Highway 552 in the London, KY area. There is no threat to public safety. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, I cannot comment further at this time,” said Katie Anderson, a public affairs specialist for FBI Louisville.
Topic of the investigation remains confidential
The Kentucky Lantern and other news outlets have acknowledged in their reports that they have little, if any, idea about what the FBI is investigating. But the actions of the FBI indicate this has been a major and prolonged investigation. Recall that on July 23 London Mayor Tracie Handley released a statement that federal authorities had contacted the city regarding an ongoing investigation. Handley said the city cooperated with the investigation and closed city hall the next day “to allow authorities to complete their work.” Handley declined to elaborate because “this investigation has been going on for months and remains active.”
The ongoing investigation is separate from pending criminal charges
The raid is a separate matter from Weddle’s March indictment by the Laurel County grand jury on four counts of making excessive campaign contributions to help Gov. Andy Beshear win reelection in 2023…