IG Report Details Ex-Labor Secretary Misconduct

A comprehensive report released Thursday by the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General has detailed multiple policy violations and alleged misconduct by former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer during her tenure, leading to her resignation in April 2026. The 44-page report, initiated by an anonymous complaint in January 2026, concluded that a preponderance of evidence substantiated numerous violations, including fostering a hostile work environment, misusing government resources for personal travel, consuming alcohol on federal property during work hours, and maintaining an inappropriately close relationship with a subordinate security agent. Investigators interviewed 38 to 53 witnesses who described the work environment within the Office of the Secretary as "toxic, intimidating, and humiliating." The report specifically cited actions by Chavez-DeRemer’s chief of staff, Jihun Han, and deputy chief of staff, Rebecca Wright, who allegedly engaged in threatening and demeaning communication with staff, made comments about employees' appearance and hygiene, and frequently threatened termination.