2026 EAM 19 (re: 2026 ESD 81)
ELECTION APPEALS MASTER
FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
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IN RE: RUDY MORGAN
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Protestor. |
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2026 EAM 19
ISSUED: June 11, 2026
APPEALS OF ELECTION SUPERVISOR PROTEST 2026 ESD 81
OES CASE No. P-144-041326
Protest Decision 2026 ESD 81 (“ESD 81”) was issued on May 18, 2026 (OES Case No. P-144-041326) by the Office of the Election Supervisor (“Election Supervisor” or “OES”). ESD 81 addresses a post-election protest filed by Rudy Morgan, a member of Local Union 58 (“Local 58”). Mr. Morgan alleged that Local 58 Secretary-Treasurer Walter LaChapelle improperly distributed the results of the Local 58 delegate elections to Local 58 members before those results were certified by the OES and engaged in post-election conduct unbecoming of a union officer. The Election Supervisor denied the protest, finding no violation of the Rules for the 2025–2026 IBT International Union Delegate and Officer Election (the “Rules”).
On May 19, 2026, Mr. Morgan appealed the decision. On May 27, 2026, the OES submitted a written response in support of its position.
A hearing by video conference was held on May 29, 2026. The following individuals attended the hearing: Rudy Morgan; and Greg Friedholm and Deborah Schaaf on behalf of the OES.
For the reasons set forth below, the appeal is DENIED.
Background
Local 58 retained Merriman River Group as the third party responsible for administering Local 58’s election of delegates to the June 2026 IBT International Convention. All ballots were required to be returned no later than March 31, 2026.
The election resulted in LaChapelle and Thomas Alcomendas being elected as delegates to the Convention and Justin Baptista being elected as an alternate delegate. Within days after the March 31, 2026 ballot deadline, and before the OES issued its final certification of the results, LaChapelle distributed the election results to Local 58 members. Those results included the total votes cast for each nominee as well as the percentage of votes garnered by each candidate.
Shortly thereafter, LaChapelle was sent a text message claiming that the “union is corrupt” and making other assertions regarding alleged election improprieties. LaChapelle replied with an expletive and accusation that the sender was a sore loser.
Morgan filed a post-election protest with the OES, alleging that LaChapelle had inappropriately circulated election results before OES certification and that LaChapelle’s post-election texting raised concerns about the integrity of the election process.
Determination
As Mr. Morgan’s protest was filed after the Local 58 delegate election, it is governed by Article XIII, Section 3 of the Rules (“Post-election Protests”). Post-election protests “shall only be considered and remedied if the alleged violation may have affected the outcome of the election,” except where the protest alleges “improper threats, coercion, intimidation, acts of violence or retaliation for exercising any right protected by these Rules.” Article XIII, Section 3(b). The Rules also provide that any post-election protest must contain “a clear and concise written statement of the alleged improper conduct, including a statement explaining how such conduct may have affected the outcome of the election.” Article XIII, Section 3(c). Mr. Morgan has not provided any explanation of how LaChapelle’s conduct may have affected the outcome of Local 58’s delegate election. Further, LaChapelle’s post-election communications do not constitute threats, coercion, intimidation, or retaliation.
Additionally, the OES correctly found that LaChapelle’s distribution of results to the members was consistent with the requirements of the Rules, not a departure from them. See Article II, Section 12.
For the foregoing reasons, the appeal is DENIED.
SO ORDERED
Hon. Barbara S. Jones (Ret.)
Election Appeals Master
DATED: June 11, 2026
DISTRIBUTION LIST (VIA EMAIL):
Rudy Morgan
rudymorgan1987@yahoo.com
Walter LaChapelle
Walter.Lachapelle@teamsters58.com
Evan Pinchot
SoCoPhilo007@gmail.com
John Palmer
Jpalmer8734@gmail.com
James L. Donovan Jr.
jdonovan.ne@gmail.com
David Suetholz, General Counsel
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
DSuetholz@teamster.org
Edward M. Gleason, Jr.
ed@hsglawgroup.com
Richard Hooker
hookabrasi@gmail.com
Will Bloom
wbloom@dsgchicago.com
Ken Paff
ken@tdu.org
Greg Friedholm
greg@friedholmlaw.com
Hon. Timothy S. Hillman
thillman@ibtvote.org
Kelly Hogan
kelly.hogan@nelsonmullins.com
Paul Dever
pdever@ibtvote.org
Deborah Schaaf
dschaaf@ibtvote.org; Debschaaf33@gmail.com
Thomas Kokalas
thomas.kokalas@bracewell.com