Investigation Finds Former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer Created Hostile Work Environment

<p>According to a report released by the Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on September 4, 2026, former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with her bodyguard and fostered a hostile work environment for her subordinates.</p><p>The report details an incident where Chavez-DeRemer allegedly instructed a member of her security detail to throw cash at a stripper. She resigned from her position in April 2026 after being under investigation following an anonymous complaint received in January, which claimed her inappropriate relationship with the assistant special agent-in-charge (ASAIC) of her department's Division of Protective Operations (DPO).</p><p>The complaint also alleged that Chavez-DeRemer, along with her chief of staff, Jihun Han, and deputy chief of staff, Rebecca Wright, created a hostile work environment and consumed alcohol on DOL property during work hours.</p><p>The OIG interviewed 38 witnesses who described the DOL work environment as "toxic, intimidating and humiliating." Witnesses reported that Chavez-DeRemer, Han, and Wright openly discussed employee performance matters in front of other staff, including details of performance-related meetings.</p><p>Witnesses also indicated that Chavez-DeRemer's relationship with the ASAIC contributed to the hostile work environment. During an April trip to Oregon, the ASAIC complied with Chavez-DeRemer's request to make an unplanned stop at an establishment featuring partially nude dancers. The ASAIC assigned Chavez-DeRemer's driver to accompany her and instructed him to give cash to one of the dancers, which he initially refused.</p><p>The report states that Chavez-DeRemer took additional money from her purse and directed the driver to drop the bills onto the dancer. The ASAIC's relationship with Chavez-DeRemer reportedly affected his job performance, as he focused on his interactions with her and reduced the presence of other DPO personnel.</p><p>Chavez-DeRemer and the ASAIC reportedly communicated frequently through the encrypted messaging app Signal about non-operational subjects. Witnesses described instances of physical closeness, including Chavez-DeRemer massaging the ASAIC's shoulders in a vehicle.</p><p>After the investigation began, the OIG surveilled Chavez-DeRemer's residence and observed the ASAIC entering through a back door on multiple occasions. Following reports of the ASAIC breaking chain-of-command protocol, the Special Agent in Charge (SAIC) recommended he take a leave of absence, but the ASAIC declined and expressed concerns about potential repercussions for the SAIC.</p><p>The ASAIC was placed on paid administrative leave in January and subsequently on unpaid investigative leave in February, resigning in March.</p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Labor, the OIG, and the White House for additional comments.</p>