A New Civil Suit and Text Messages Could Signal the End for Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer
On the heels of former congressmen Eric Swalwell (CA-14)
and Tony
Gonzales (TX-23)
being forced to resign after sexual scandals, a
takedown of a different sort is occurring at the United States
Department of Labor (DOL). As the Office of the Inspector General winds
down its investigation into Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer over
allegations that she created a hostile work environment, had an
inappropriate relationship with her bodyguard, drank on the job, and
used department travel for her own personal aims, three DOL staffers
have chosen to file a civil rights lawsuit outside of that OIG investigation.
Three women have filed civil rights complaints against U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, according to reports.
The
complaints allege that Chavez-DeRemer, a former congressperson for
Oregon’s 5th District, created a “hostile work environment” and tried to
retaliate against staffers for cooperating with an investigation,
including claims of sexual harassment by Chavez-DeRemer’s husband, The
New York Times and MS Now reported on Thursday.
Two of the complainants have accused the secretary’s husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, of “unwanted sexual touching,” MS Now reported.
The
Labor Department’s inspector general’s office reportedly is wrapping up
an investigation into Chavez-DeRemer’s short tenure as labor secretary
and has interviewed the three women.
The complaints allege that
Chavez-DeRemer and top aides threatened staff and made them run personal
errands and do personal chores for the labor secretary, including
cleaning out the closets of her apartment.
There has
been a consistent drumbeat of these issues surrounding the Labor
Secretary. As RedState reported in January, Chavez-DeRemer's Chief of
Staff Jihun Han and Deputy Chief of Staff Rebecca Wright were placed on
administrative leave for their potential involvement in helping
Chavez-DeRemer facilitate these acts. In March, a third high-level aide,
Director of Advance Melissa Robey, was also placed on administrative
leave. Han, Wright, and Robey were subsequently terminated, and the
security guard with whom Chavez-DeRemer had the alleged inappropriate relationship resigned.
RedState
also reported that Chavez-DeRemer's DOL offices were searched by the DC
Metropolitan Police Department in connection with allegations of sexual
harassment against Chavez-DeRemer's husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer. DC
Metro closed the investigation, and no charges were brought. However,
DeRemer was barred from the Frances Perkins building, where the
Department of Labor is housed.
As the OIG investigation goes
through its final stages, the New York Times obtained text messages that
showed that Chavez-DeRemer and the now-terminated aides used young
staffers for personal errands and to keep tabs on Chavez-DeRemer's family.
What in the world?
The
Labor Department’s inspector general is reviewing material showing that
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and her top aides and family
members routinely sent personal messages and requests to young staff
members.
In text messages that have been reviewed by The New York
Times, Ms. Chavez-DeRemer and her former deputy chief of staff asked
employees to bring wine to them during trips for the department.
Sometimes the requests came in the middle of the work day.
[...]
The
inquiry has revealed deep frustration in the department with Ms.
Chavez-DeRemer, who took office in March 2025. Staff across the
political spectrum have described her as disconnected from the work of
the department.
This assessment doesn't require one to perform
rocket science. There is much work that Chavez-DeRemer could have been
getting done in D.C. Instead, she chose to focus on being outside of it.
According to the allegations from her staff, Chavez-DeRemer used this
50-state America At Work listening tour as a free vacation.
Along
with personal errands that took staffers away from DOL work, these
lower-level staffers were tasked with keeping track of Chavez-DeRemer's
father.
Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s husband exchanged text
messages with young female staff members, as did her father. Some of the
young women were instructed by Ms. Chavez-DeRemer and the former deputy
chief of staff to “pay attention” to the men, according to people
familiar with the investigation.
[...]
In an April 2025
exchange provided to investigators, Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s father, Richard
Chavez, wrote to a young female staff member: “Hearing u/r in town.
Wishing you would let me know. I could have made some excuses to get out
and show u around. Please keep this private.”
The staff member
responded: “Will do, no need to worry!” She apologized for not reaching
out, and said she would be back in Oregon soon. Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s
family is based in Oregon, and she served one term in the House for the
state’s Fifth Congressional District.
“When are u leaving an where u staying,” he responded.
And for reasons unknown at this point, Dr. Shawn DeRemer also required text interaction.
A
few weeks later, the same staff member messaged Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s
husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, and apologized for not being in touch. “I’ve
been having so much fun traveling with LCD and being in the moment for
everything!! I promise from now on I’ll check in.”
He responded:
“You better. I was feeling forgotten. I figured you were still in church
repenting after your exposure to the demon state of Oregon.”
All of this is more soap opera than scandal, but it still points to a
lack of professionalism and gross malfeasance from yet another
government official tasked with the public trust.
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