Investigation Reveals Misconduct by Former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer

<p>Former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer oversaw a workplace described as toxic and intimidating, where employees reported being pressured to drink alcohol on the job and ordered to perform personal errands, according to a report from the Department of Labor’s inspector general.</p><p>The report, released on September 4, 2026, details findings from an investigation into Chavez-DeRemer and several of her senior aides. Investigators interviewed 53 current and former Labor Department employees and reviewed over 500 documents, photographs, and videos.</p><p>The investigation found that Chavez-DeRemer’s conduct was inconsistent with applicable policies and ethical standards in several areas. Findings included an inappropriate relationship with a senior member of her security detail, improper travel, unauthorized possession and consumption of alcohol on federal property, misuse of government resources, and failure to report gifts properly.</p><p>One incident noted in the report occurred during a personal trip to Oregon, where Chavez-DeRemer allegedly asked to stop at a strip club with her security detail. She reportedly gave a security agent money from her purse to give to a female performer and instructed him to drop the bills one at a time onto the woman.</p><p>While the inspector general did not find direct evidence of a romantic or sexual relationship between Chavez-DeRemer and the security official, the report documented numerous interactions between them, including personal outings and overnight stays in the same hotels. Hotel records indicated that they spent portions of nights in each other's rooms during two trips to Las Vegas.</p><p>Additionally, the report stated that alcohol was consumed and stored on federal property without authorization. Witnesses reported that Chavez-DeRemer and her senior staff drank during work hours and pressured other employees to join them, ridiculing those who declined.</p><p>The misuse of employees' time extended beyond drinking; at one point, Chavez-DeRemer directed her personal aide and executive assistant to drive to her home during working hours to organize her bedroom closet. Employees were instructed to hang clothing and arrange her belongings, and they were asked to provide a video documenting the completed work. The report included an image of the organized closet.</p><p>Other employees were allegedly tasked with retrieving Chavez-DeRemer’s personal packages and handling errands unrelated to their government duties. The report also indicated that she combined personal and official travel, including trips involving family and personal residences.</p><p>Witnesses described a broader workplace culture where senior officials engaged in threatening and abusive communication, with employees being berated publicly and threatened with termination. Investigators also heard allegations that staffing decisions were influenced by physical appearance rather than qualifications.</p><p>Chavez-DeRemer resigned from her position in April 2026, becoming the third Trump Cabinet official to leave office during the administration. The White House stated she was leaving for a private-sector position, while her attorney claimed she wanted to prevent the allegations from distracting from the Labor Department’s work. Her resignation occurred one day before she was scheduled to be interviewed by the inspector general.</p><p>Her attorney, Nick Oberheiden, disputed the report's significance, stating that it confirmed Chavez-DeRemer did not violate any laws. Chavez-DeRemer previously characterized the allegations as attacks and distractions.</p><p>The Department of Labor is currently led by Keith Sonderling, who has been nominated by President Donald Trump to permanently head the agency.</p>