WASHINGTON — U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer finds herself at the center of a serious internal probe by the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, sparked by a complaint filed last week.
The investigation stems from allegations that Chavez-DeRemer pursued an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, drank alcohol in her office during work hours, and misused taxpayer funds for personal travel, while her chief of staff, Jihun Han, and deputy chief of staff, Rebecca Wright, are also under scrutiny for allegedly knowing about these issues.
Critics are raising eyebrows over the nature of these accusations, which paint a troubling picture of leadership at the Department of Labor.
According to the New York Post, the complaint details specific instances, including at least three visits by the subordinate to Chavez-DeRemer’s D.C. apartment and two hotel room encounters during travel, with some meet-ups in September reportedly occurring after she dismissed her security detail.
By October, another alleged visit took place under the cover of night, and later that month, the pair traveled together to the Red Rocks Casino Resort in Las Vegas during a federal shutdown, supposedly for a family celebration.
Adding fuel to the fire, the complaint accuses Chavez-DeRemer of travel fraud, claiming she directed staff to arrange official trips to personal destinations like Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, and Michigan, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer dollars across 37 states in 2025.
At least 10 of over 50 trips had personal ties, and in November alone, three of five journeys were marked as personal, yet questions linger about the use of government resources for private outings.
Allegations of unprofessional behavior on these trips, including brief official engagements followed by personal activities and late-night socializing on the public dime, only deepen the concern.
Beyond travel, whispers of a toxic workplace culture have emerged, with sources describing Chavez-DeRemer as a demanding superior who tasked aides with personal errands during work hours.
Reports of alcohol stashed in her office—champagne, bourbon, and Kahlua—raise further questions about conduct during the workday, a detail that doesn’t sit well with those expecting sobriety in high office.
When rumors of misconduct began to spread within the department, the complaint alleges she told her chief of staff to ignore the issue, a move that hardly inspires confidence in accountability.
The Department of Labor has pushed back hard, with spokesperson Courtney Parella stating, “These unsubstantiated allegations are categorically false.”
Parella added, “Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has complied with all ethics rules and Department policies and remains fully engaged in carrying out the Department’s work on behalf of this historic Administration.” Yet, with an active investigation, such denials may not quiet the growing scrutiny.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers also weighed in, calling the claims “baseless” and affirming that Chavez-DeRemer remains a vital part of advancing an America First agenda, though taxpayers might wonder if personal priorities have taken precedence over public duty.
