Labor Department Inspector General Report Finds Former Secretary Violated Harassment Policy

The Labor Department’s Office of Inspector General released a report Thursday stating that former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer violated the agency’s own harassment policy and several ethical standards. The investigation, prompted by an anonymous complaint, interviewed 53 current and former employees and found merit in the allegations that Chavez-DeRemer allowed a hostile work environment, maintained an inappropriate relationship with a member of her security detail, and directed staff to perform personal errands during work hours.

"While some — with or without their own agenda — may not have liked the way she managed the Department, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer looks back with the same pride of having served President Trump's Administration and the American workers," said her attorney Nick Oberheiden.

Witnesses described a “toxic, humiliating and intimidating” atmosphere in the Office of the Secretary, citing demeaning comments about appearance and threats of termination by senior staff. The report said Chavez-DeRemer was aware of this behavior but did not intervene.

The OIG also found that Chavez-DeRemer cultivated an unprofessional relationship with a security agent, pressuring the agent to accompany her to a strip club and to hand over money for a performer, despite the agent’s objections. Additionally, staff were tasked with personal chores such as organizing her closet during work hours, which the report deemed a violation of ethical standards.

Travel records revealed that official trips were sometimes used to justify personal travel, including a rodeo visit in Las Vegas funded with government resources after she received complimentary tickets from a lobbyist, which she failed to report as required. Chavez-DeRemer resigned a day before she was scheduled to be interviewed by investigators, and her deputy Keith Sonderling assumed the role of acting secretary.