Watchdog Says Ex-Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer Oversaw Hostile Workplace/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ A Labor Department watchdog found that former Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer oversaw a “toxic, intimidating and humiliating” workplace. The report alleged misuse of government staff and resources, an inappropriate relationship with a security agent and multiple violations of department policy. Chavez-DeRemer, who resigned earlier in 2026, could not immediately be reached for comment on the findings.
Quick Look
- The Labor Department inspector general investigated Chavez-DeRemer’s conduct.
- Investigators interviewed dozens of employees and reviewed more than 500 records.
- Staff members were allegedly assigned personal errands during government work hours.
- The report described an inappropriate relationship with a senior security agent.
- Investigators cited possible mixing of personal and official travel.
- Alcohol was allegedly consumed and stored on federal property without authorization.
- Several gifts reportedly were not disclosed through required channels.
- Employees described threatening and humiliating conduct by senior officials.
- Some staffing decisions allegedly were based on physical appearance.
- The report identified policy violations but did not conclude the conduct was criminal.
Deep Look
Watchdog Details Workplace and Policy Violations
NEW YORK — Former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer oversaw a “toxic, intimidating and humiliating” workplace and violated numerous department policies, according to a report from the Labor Department’s Office of Inspector General.
The investigation was based on interviews with dozens of current and former department employees and a review of more than 500 documents, photographs and videos.
The report alleged that Chavez-DeRemer used government employees for personal work, improperly combined personal and official travel, violated alcohol policies and failed to disclose gifts through the required channels.
It also said she “engaged in an inappropriate relationship” with a senior agent assigned to her security detail. The watchdog did not determine that the relationship was romantic or sexual and did not conclude that Chavez-DeRemer’s conduct was unlawful.
Staff Allegedly Assigned Personal Tasks
Investigators found that Chavez-DeRemer repeatedly directed employees to perform personal tasks during government work hours.
In one instance, her personal aide and executive assistant allegedly traveled to her home to organize her bedroom closet. They were then instructed to provide a video documenting their work.
The report included a photograph showing colorful blazers, purses and shoes arranged in the closet.
Employees were also reportedly sent to collect personal packages from Chavez-DeRemer’s mailroom and make purchases for which they were not always reimbursed.
The watchdog said a Hispanic federal employee was directed to communicate in Spanish with private workers, including Chavez-DeRemer’s house cleaner and movers.
Report Describes Incident at Oregon Strip Club
The report described a personal trip to Oregon during which Chavez-DeRemer allegedly visited a strip club featuring partially nude performers.
Investigators said she instructed her limousine driver to enter the establishment and give money to one of the performers despite his hesitation.
According to the report, she then “took additional money from her purse and asked the agent to drop the bills one by one onto the partially nude woman,” despite his objections.
The incident was among several examples cited by investigators as evidence of inappropriate demands placed on employees and security personnel.
Security Agent Relationship Examined
The inspector general alleged that Chavez-DeRemer developed an inappropriate and unprofessional relationship with a senior member of her security detail.
Witnesses described her massaging the agent’s shoulder, golfing and gambling with him and leaving an event while walking arm-in-arm.
Investigators examined electronic hotel-lock information indicating that the two spent time overnight in each other’s rooms. They also reviewed key-fob records and video showing the agent visiting Chavez-DeRemer’s home.
The relationship “appeared to continue even after he was placed on administrative leave and was suspended from his official duties,” according to the report.
The watchdog did not characterize the relationship as romantic or sexual.
Travel, Alcohol and Undisclosed Gifts Cited
Investigators concluded that Chavez-DeRemer and senior staff members consumed and stored alcohol on federal property without authorization.
The report also accused her of combining official travel with personal visits to relatives, private residences and Las Vegas.
Several gifts allegedly were not reported through the department’s required ethics process. They included rodeo tickets, cowboy hats and an alligator-hide wallet.
These findings were described as violations of departmental standards and policies rather than criminal determinations.
Employees Describe Hostile Workplace
The watchdog found that senior staff members “routinely engaged in threatening, demeaning, and abusive verbal and written communication.”
Chavez-DeRemer was apparently aware of the behavior but failed to take adequate steps to stop it, the report said.
Witnesses described employees being berated in front of colleagues, personnel problems being discussed openly and workers facing frequent threats of dismissal.
Several employees characterized the environment as “toxic, intimidating and humiliating.”
The investigation also found allegations that some staffing decisions were based on appearance rather than professional qualifications.
In one example, an employee’s desk was reportedly moved because senior staff members did not want a “fat person” visible in the front office.
Chavez-DeRemer resigned earlier in 2026 and could not immediately be reached for comment following publication of the report.
Separate reporting indicated that she resigned one day before she was scheduled to be interviewed by investigators. She previously denied wrongdoing.
Several senior aides implicated in the workplace allegations were later dismissed, while the security agent also left his position.
The report presents the inspector general’s administrative findings. It does not establish criminal liability, and its allegations should be distinguished from charges tested in a court proceeding.
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