Election Law Violation Alleged Against Impallaria Chief Of Staff

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Robocalling 9,000 people the day before the Maryland primary election and pretending to be a transgender advocate led to charges against the chief of staff for Delegate Rick Impallaria, according to the Office of the State Prosecutor. When he made the automated phone calls, the staffer did not disclose who he was or his affiliation with Impallaria, prosecutors allege.

Tyler Walch, chief of staff for Impallaria, has been charged with violating the authority line requirements of Maryland election laws, according to the Office of the State Prosecutor.

Walch, who works for Impallaria — a Republican representing district 7, which spans Harford and Baltimore counties — delivered what the state prosecutor said was a misleading message about Delegate Kathy Szeliga, a Republican who also represents the 7th district.

On Jan. 25, 2018, prosecutors allege Walch made a robocall to 9,000 people with the following message:

"Hi this is Ali, a donor to the national Center for Transgender Equality calling to ask you to support Delegate Kathy Szeliga in tomorrow’s Republican Primary Election. Kathy Szeliga is a true friend of the Transgender Community having voted for House Bill 1003 making it illegal to discriminate against Transgendered persons in the workplace. With the support of lawmakers willing work across the aisle like Kathy Szeliga, Transgenders will soon be able to use the bathrooms of their choice. Again this is Ali calling to ask you to support Kathy Szeliga, a friend of the transgender community. Thank you!"

According to the state prosecutor, Walch communicated what he planned to say to Impallaria beforehand and did not disclose the following, which are required by Maryland election law:

• Identity of the person authorizing and paying for the calls
• Whether the calls were authorized by any candidate

The state prosecutor alleges the call was deceptive and against the law.

"This message not only failed to provide the information required by Maryland law, it attempted to deliberately deceive voters by providing misleading information," State Prosecutor Emmet Davitt said in a statement on Thursday, Jan. 10. "Maryland voters are entitled to know what person or group is responsible for such material, particularly when it is published and distributed one day before the Primary Election. The credibility of the messenger is an essential factor in evaluating the value of the message.”

The offense is punishable by a $1,000 fine. Walch was charged in Baltimore County District Court.

It is not the first brush with the law for Impallaria or his staffers.

In 2016, Impallaria was charged with drunk driving, for which he was sentenced to serve two days in jail in 2017.

In 2012, he was accused of an election infraction when his staff called media from a state phone to announce his candidacy.

• Baltimore County Delegate Gets 2 Days In Jail For Drunk Driving
• Impallaria Staff Make Congressional Calls From State Phone

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