A newly released 44-page report from the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General details multiple policy violations by former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, including directing a security detail member to throw cash at a stripper during a personal trip in April 2025.
The report, based on interviews with 53 current and former staffers and a review of over 500 documents, also found that Chavez-DeRemer created a hostile work environment, misused government funds, and maintained an inappropriately close relationship with a member of her security detail. She resigned in April 2026 following the investigation.
Key Findings from the Inspector General’s Report
1. Strip Club Incident and Security Detail Misconduct
During a personal trip to Oregon in April 2025, Chavez-DeRemer requested an off-the-record stop at an establishment that, upon entry, was discovered to feature partially nude dancers. According to the report, she directed a member of her protective detail to take money from her purse and drop bills one at a time onto a performer’s partially nude body.
The driver initially refused but complied after being instructed by a supervisor on the detail. The incident was reported the following day. The report concluded that Chavez-DeRemer and the supervisor violated the agency’s anti-harassment rules by subjecting the driver to unwelcome conduct.
2. Hostile Work Environment and Policy Violations
The inspector general’s investigation, which began in January 2026 after an anonymous complaint, found that 38 witnesses described Chavez-DeRemer’s office as “toxic, intimidating, and humiliating.” Witnesses reported that senior staff berated employees in front of colleagues, made staffing decisions based on physical appearance rather than qualifications, and openly discussed employee performance details in group settings.
Additional violations included:
- Combining personal and official travel, including stops to visit friends and family during government-funded trips.
- Consuming and storing alcohol on government property, including during work hours.
- Directing staff to perform personal tasks during official time.
- Failing to report gifts through appropriate channels.
3. Inappropriate Relationship with Security Detail
The report also examined Chavez-DeRemer’s relationship with a member of her security detail, identified in the report as the Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge (ASAIC) of the Division of Protective Operations. Investigators found that the two “developed and maintained an inappropriately close and unprofessional relationship.” While the report did not determine whether the relationship was romantic or sexual, it noted that the closeness contributed to the hostile work environment.
4. Resignation and Aftermath
Chavez-DeRemer resigned in April 2026, shortly after the investigation began and as media inquiries into her leadership intensified. The report did not determine whether the conduct described constituted unlawful discrimination, retaliation, or a hostile work environment under federal law, but it recommended further review of the agency’s policies and oversight mechanisms.
Official Response and Agency Actions
The Department of Labor has not publicly commented on the report’s findings beyond acknowledging its release. The Inspector General’s office has not indicated whether additional disciplinary actions or policy changes will follow.
Background: Chavez-DeRemer’s Tenure
Chavez-DeRemer, a former U.S. Representative from Oregon, was confirmed as Labor Secretary in March 2025. Her tenure was marked by controversy, including allegations of alcohol use during work hours, favoritism in hiring, and retaliation against staff who raised concerns. The “America at Work” tour, a cross-country campaign, was frequently criticized for blending personal travel with official business.
Policy Implications and Long-Term Questions
The report raises broader questions about accountability for senior federal officials and the enforcement of ethics and workplace conduct rules in the executive branch. It also highlights the challenges of balancing personal conduct with public trust, particularly for officials in high-profile roles.
The Inspector General’s findings underscore the need for clearer guidelines on off-the-record travel, gift reporting, and workplace behavior for Cabinet-level appointees.