US Labor watchdog report alleges misconduct by former secretary Chavez-DeRemer
A U.S. Labor Department inspector-general report alleges former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer drank during work hours, misused agency resources and fostered an intimidating workplace; her lawyer denies wrongdoing.
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- Labor Department inspector-general report alleges former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer drank during work hours, misused agency resources and fostered an intimidating workplace; her lawyer denies wrongdoing.
A report by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General has accused former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer of drinking during working hours, misusing government resources and contributing to an intimidating workplace during her tenure.
The 38-page report, published after an investigation that began in January 2026, drew on testimony from 38 witnesses, according to reporting reviewed by AddisMizan. It alleged that Chavez-DeRemer kept alcohol on federal property, accepted gifts without properly disclosing them and directed department employees to handle personal tasks, including organizing a closet at her home during working hours.
Investigators also cited at least 13 trips to destinations where Chavez-DeRemer visited relatives or personal residences, along with five trips to Las Vegas. The report alleged that government funds were used for personal travel and that some lodging costs exceeded permitted reimbursement rates.
Among the report’s other claims was an allegation that Chavez-DeRemer asked a staff member to accompany her during a personal visit to an establishment featuring partially nude dancers. It also described what witnesses characterized as a hostile workplace, including meetings in which employees were berated over perceived performance problems.
Chavez-DeRemer’s lawyer, Nick Oberheiden, rejected the report’s conclusions. In a statement, he argued that the findings were untimely, relied on unnamed individuals and did not establish that she broke any law.
The Labor Department said it respected the integrity of the inspector general’s investigation and referred questions about the findings to that office.
Chavez-DeRemer was appointed labor secretary in January 2025 and resigned in April 2026 while the misconduct allegations were under investigation. The inspector general’s findings are allegations from an administrative investigation; the report, as described, did not conclude that she committed a crime.
