Union leader faces charges over alleged bullying for billionaire tax

Two internal investigations have substantiated allegations that Dave Regan, president of the powerful SEIU United Healthcare Workers West union, engaged in bullying, extortion, and physical intimidation to secure support for California's Proposition 40, a proposed billionaire wealth tax. The findings, detailed in reports commissioned by SEIU California and SEIU International, have triggered formal charges and an upcoming evidentiary hearing that could determine Regan's leadership and the future of the ballot measure. The investigations, conducted by the law firms Barboza Associates and Cohen, Weiss and Simon, corroborated claims from multiple union leaders. One report found Regan attempted to extort SEIU California state council leaders into endorsing Proposition 40 by suggesting they could face a federal investigation if they did not comply. Another substantiated an allegation that Regan threatened SEIU California Executive Director Tia Orr in December, telling her the council needed to endorse the measure by January 1 or "I'm coming for you." The reports also identified a pattern of bullying directed at female union leaders.