Wilmington City Council Appeals Chancery Court Decision Over James Spadola City Council Seat
“So it’s unfortunate that $200,000 later, we’re back to where we started,” James Spadola said after Wilmington City Council appealed a court ruling concerning his at-large city council seat. Wilmington City Council is appealing a Chancery Court decision to the Delaware Supreme Court in a legal battle to oust Spadola following his party switch.
Spadola won election to the Wilmington City Council as a Republican at-large member. His subsequent switch to the Democratic party left the council without minority party representation, which city rules require. In response, the council passed a resolution attempting to dismiss him. Spadola challenged that resolution in Chancery Court, where a judge ruled that the council’s attempt to remove him exceeded its authority.
Legal Costs and City Law Department Determinations
The city has already spent $207,000 in legal fees defending the council’s resolution. Spadola noted that the council’s own legal filing acknowledges the City Law Department concluded that changing political parties did not violate the city charter. “What the Law Department told council that they didn’t want to believe for whatever reason. And now the city’s going to be on the hook for even additional money,” Spadola said.
Spadola stated that the appeal filing indicates council members held internal discussions before moving forward, but he criticized the process as lacking transparency. He reached out to multiple council members who were unaware that an appeal was even being discussed or filed.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Wilmington City Council Appeal
Why is Wilmington City Council trying to remove James Spadola?
The council attempted to oust Spadola because city rules mandate at least one minority party representative on the council, and his party switch from Republican to Democrat left the body without minority representation.
What did the Delaware Chancery Court decide?
The Chancery Court ruled in favor of Spadola, finding that the council’s resolution aiming to dismiss him exceeded its official authority.
How much has the city spent on legal fees so far?
The city has spent $207,000 in legal fees regarding this dispute, according to figures noted in the city’s filings and statements.
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