Daily Weird News Report
A Department of Labor inspector general report alleges that former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer drank during working hours, kept alcohol on federal property and directed employees to perform personal tasks while they were on duty.
The 38-page report, described by The Guardian, followed an anonymous complaint and an investigation that began in January 2026. Thirty-eight witnesses provided testimony. Chavez-DeRemer, who was appointed by President Donald Trump in January 2025, resigned in April 2026 amid the misconduct allegations.
According to the report, employees were sent to Chavez-DeRemer’s home to organize her bedroom closet. It also alleged that she and aides regularly drank in her study during official duty hours, while employees who did not drink were ridiculed. The report characterized the workplace as “toxic, intimidating and humiliating.”
One of the more unusual allegations involved a personal trip to Oregon. The report said Chavez-DeRemer requested an unscheduled stop at a venue that featured partially nude dancers. It alleged that she asked an accompanying agent to drop money onto one of the dancers, and that the agent complied after seeking guidance from a supervisor.
The inspector general’s report also accused Chavez-DeRemer of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a bodyguard, accepting gifts without properly reporting them and using agency funds for personal travel. Witnesses identified at least 13 trips to destinations where she visited family or personal residences, along with five trips to Las Vegas. The report said some lodging exceeded permitted reimbursement rates, including three nights at a luxury hotel and spa in Palm Beach, Florida.
The report further described alleged misconduct by senior aides. It said chief of staff Jihun Han and deputy chief of staff Rebecca Wright left the department in March 2026 during the investigation. Wright was accused of evaluating applicants partly on appearance and weight, making derogatory remarks and advising an employee not to cut her hair short to avoid “turning into a lesbian.” The report also alleged that employees were investigated for suspected media leaks and that Chavez-DeRemer did not challenge some inappropriate comments attributed to Wright.
Chavez-DeRemer’s attorney, Nick Oberheiden, said the report was untimely and based on undisclosed individuals, adding that she had not broken any laws. The Labor Department said it respected the inspector general’s investigation and referred questions about the findings to that office.
