In a dramatic legal battle unfolding in Cook County, Illinois, a prominent labor organization and its business manager have filed a defamation lawsuit against one of their former members. The plaintiffs, Laborers’ Local One and Leo Esparza, initiated the complaint on April 25, 2025, targeting Bobby Peak II as the defendant. This case is poised to capture attention due to the serious allegations of false reporting and reputational damage.
The complaint centers around articles published by the Chicago Crusader Newspaper on April 26 and May 9, 2024. According to the plaintiffs, these articles contained false and defamatory statements about Laborers’ Local One and Esparza. The lawsuit alleges that Peak was involved in providing misleading information to the newspaper, which falsely reported that a state commission had ruled against Local One in a discrimination case filed by Peak. In reality, Peak's claims were dismissed with prejudice by the Illinois Human Rights Commission due to jurisdictional issues rather than any findings on merit.
Laborers’ Local One is a well-established labor organization affiliated with the Chicago and Vicinity Laborers’ District Council, AFL-CIO. The organization has been operating since 1934 with its principal office located in Chicago. Leo Esparza serves as its business manager. Bobby Peak II, a former business agent for Local One, was terminated from his position in 2018 after it was discovered he had a felony conviction for cocaine possession—a factor disqualifying him from serving in any capacity within a labor organization under federal law.
Following his termination, Peak filed a charge of racial discrimination against Local One with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR). However, this claim was dismissed by the Illinois Human Rights Commission on June 8, 2021. Despite this dismissal being public record, articles published by the Crusader inaccurately portrayed that Peak's claims were validated by the commission.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 along with punitive damages to be determined at trial. They argue that these false publications have caused significant harm to their reputations and resulted in emotional distress for Esparza. Furthermore, they accuse Peak of republishing these defamatory statements across various platforms and events throughout Cook County—spreading misinformation about alleged discriminatory practices within Local One.
Representing Laborers’ Local One and Leo Esparza are attorneys Robert E. Bloch and David P. Lichtman from Dowd, Bloch, Bennett & Cervone LLP based in Chicago. The case is being heard under Case ID: 2025L005551 at the Circuit Court of Cook County Law Division.