Two founders of the Asian and Latino Coalition say they've removed and replaced the group's chairman for unspecified misconduct, even as the leader told the Register he still heads the group.
Prakash Kopparapu, 45, called word of his removal "misinformation," and said the channels used to announce his departure — a news release from a group email account and a post on Twitter — are not run by the coalition.
The group email account was used for media communications as recently as August. The coalition encourages Asian and Latino communities to participate in mainstream politics.
Two early leaders of the coalition told the Register Monday evening that Kopparapu was removed by a unanimous vote. ALC founders Som Baccam and Mitch Henry said Amanda Lovan would replace Kopparapu.
Kopparapu said he is still the chairman of the coalition, which partnered with the Register and KCCI-TV to organize a Des Moines mayoral debate. The group raised its profile this caucus cycle by hosting presidential candidates for speaking engagements.
Kopparapu told the Register that Baccam, Henry and Lovan aren’t members of his group's board of directors.
Marlon Mormann, who said he was asked to serve as the coalition's treasurer after his run for Des Moines City Council, said he does not believe the purported board of directors has the power to remove Kopparapu.
Mormann, an attorney, said he and Kopparapu are the only listed leaders of the organization, according to the state ethics committee.
"I was unaware of all this fighting. My understanding is ... there's no bylaws," he said. "What happened at their meeting, I don't know, but (Kopparapu) told me he disbanded the board before I came on.
"Without articles of incorporation or without bylaws, he has the power to do whatever he wants because he's the only name on file that has control over the political action committee."
Henry pushed back against that notion, saying that board wanted to adopt bylaws with Kopparapu in November. Besides, he said, no chairperson or board member had ever been approved or dismissed unilaterally.
Kopparapu said the coalition is made up of volunteers and has no documented articles of incorporation. He said he joined the organization about three years ago.
Mormann said he supports the coalition's mission, but the confusion needs to be cleared up to continue its good work.
The news release cited repeated misconduct as the reason for Kopparapu's dismissal. The release also said the group's mission of increasing civic involvement of Latino and Asian Iowans will not change.
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“This organization is critical in giving our communities a voice and a platform to engage with our elected leaders,” Baccam said in the statement. “We are confident that this transition will go smoothly and that under Amanda's leadership, our focus can return to the roots of this organization — uplifting voices that are often marginalized in this state.”
Follow the Register on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at tjdavis@dmreg.com or on Twitter @TDavisDMR.
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Leadership of Asian, Latino coalition is in dispute: One group says chairman was removed; he says that's not true - Des Moines Register
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