By 1808Delaware
Third Ward Council Member Cory Hoffman resigned effective immediately on January 5 ending his tenure on Delaware City Council after a second menacing by stalking charge was filed within a six-week span.
Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle confirmed the resignation the same day. She acknowledged Hoffman’s more than six years of service, which began with his election in November 2019, and noted that his term had been set to run through 2027. The resignation brings an abrupt close to a council career that, in recent years, had already been marked by legal and ethical questions.
The Charges Behind the Decision
The latest criminal case stems from conduct alleged to have continued even after an earlier charge was filed. In November 2025, Hoffman was charged with first-degree misdemeanors for telecommunications harassment and menacing by stalking. Prosecutors allege he repeatedly contacted a Powell woman by phone calls, texts, and emails from multiple sources after being asked to stop, and that he approached her at Scioto Ridge Elementary School.
A second menacing by stalking charge was filed on January 1, 2026. According to court filings, the new allegations include additional text messages and images, a package left December 24–25 containing gifts, notes, and items saturated with cologne, and a digital photo album sent on December 30. Authorities say the conduct caused significant emotional distress to the victim.
Hoffman pleaded not guilty to the new charge on January 2 and posted $7,500 bond. As of early January, he remained in the Delaware County jail. Bond conditions include GPS monitoring and a strict no-contact order with the victim.
A Record of Service and Controversy
During his time representing Delaware’s Third Ward, Hoffman served on the Planning Commission and held seats on the Finance Committee and the Public Works and Public Utilities Committee.
His resignation follows earlier issues that had already drawn scrutiny. In 2022, the Ohio Ethics Commission investigated Hoffman over communications with a home builder, and he was also convicted of a DUI that year. While neither episode ended his council service at the time, together they form a backdrop that makes this week’s developments feel less isolated than they might have otherwise.
What Happens Next for the Third Ward
With the seat now vacant, Delaware City Council is expected to follow its standard process for filling a ward vacancy.
Typically, council solicits applications from qualified residents who are at least 18 years old and live in the ward. Submissions are reviewed, candidates are interviewed publicly, and council appoints a replacement to serve until the next election. That appointee may then run to complete the remainder of the term.
While no formal announcement has yet been made specific to the Third Ward opening, recent practice offers a clue. A Second Ward vacancy was filled earlier using a short application window and a requirement for signatures from 25 ward households. City officials have indicated the same approach is likely here.
Residents seeking details can contact the Council Clerk’s office at 740-203-1013.
For the Third Ward, the immediate question is less about politics than stability. Council will move quickly, but the shadow of this resignation will likely linger well beyond the appointment of a successor.
