US inspector’s report alleges violations by former Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer
In the United States, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Labor released a 44-page report alleging possible violations by former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who left office on April 20. As Al Jazeera English reports, the review was based on 500 documents and interviews with 53 current and former department employees, as well as an employee of another federal agency.
The report alleges that Chavez-DeRemer may have mixed official duties with personal matters. She is accused of using government employees for private errands, consuming alcohol during working hours, and having an inappropriately close relationship with the senior agent responsible for her protection.
Complaints about the work environment
Thirty-eight interviewees described the work environment in the secretary’s office as toxic, intimidating, and humiliating. According to the report, managers regularly used threatening, demeaning, and abusive verbal and written communication toward colleagues. The document also contains accounts of public reprimands of employees and threats of dismissal.
The report accuses Chief of Staff Rebecca Wright of moving one employee’s desk so that a person who was overweight would not be visible in the reception area. She also allegedly advised another employee not to cut her hair too short so as not to look like a lesbian. The document’s authors state that Chavez-DeRemer knew about such incidents but took no steps to stop them.
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Personal errands and ethics
According to the inspectors’ findings, a personal aide and an executive assistant were sent to Chavez-DeRemer’s residence to organize her wardrobe, hang up laundry, and arrange clothing and bags. Employees were also allegedly tasked with buying gifts, photo frames, holiday decorations, and alcohol. One employee of Latin American descent, the report claims, was required to supervise workers at the official’s home, including movers.
Witnesses reported that Chavez-DeRemer, Wright, and the deputy chief of staff regularly consumed alcohol in the secretary’s office during working hours. Department of Labor rules require prior written permission to consume alcohol on federal property, but investigators found no records that such permission had been obtained.
Inspectors described Chavez-DeRemer’s relationship with the senior security agent as inappropriately close and unprofessional. At the same time, the report states that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that the relationship was sexual in nature. The review also identified possible violations of official travel rules and undeclared gifts, including rodeo tickets, an alligator leather wallet, and cowboy hats.
The Office of Inspector General recommended removing security units from the secretary’s control, introducing independent travel audits, strengthening protections for whistleblowers, and conducting annual training for senior executives.
