US Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has come under internal scrutiny following a formal complaint that accuses her of serious workplace misconduct and misuse of official resources. The allegations have triggered an investigation by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, raising questions about her conduct in office and the management of public funds.
According to a report by the New York Post, the complaint was filed last week and alleges that Chavez-DeRemer abused her position of authority by pursuing an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate employee. The filing claims she repeatedly invited the staffer to her private Washington, DC residence on three occasions and to her hotel room during two separate official trips. In one instance, she allegedly informed her security detail that their presence was unnecessary, suggesting a desire for privacy during the meeting.
Beyond the alleged personal misconduct, the complaint also accuses the secretary of consuming alcohol during work hours and storing alcoholic beverages—including champagne, bourbon, and Kahlua—inside her office. The allegations further extend to misuse of taxpayer-funded travel, with claims that official trips were deliberately structured in a way that allowed Chavez-DeRemer to spend personal time with family members and friends, rather than being strictly limited to official duties.
Sources quoted in the report described the 57-year-old cabinet member as a highly difficult supervisor, alleging that she frequently asked aides to carry out personal errands and perform tasks unrelated to government work during official working hours. These claims, if substantiated, could point to a broader pattern of inappropriate use of staff and government resources.
Chavez-DeRemer previously served as a member of Congress representing Oregon’s 5th Congressional District from 2023 to 2025. Before her time in Congress, she was the mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, from 2011 to 2019. She was later appointed as Labour Secretary under President Donald Trump’s administration.
One of the more controversial allegations outlined in the complaint involves an official trip to Oregon in April last year. According to the report, Chavez-DeRemer and members of her staff allegedly visited Angels PDX, a strip club located outside Portland, during the trip. The New York Post reported that the five-day visit cost taxpayers approximately $2,890.06, covering expenses such as transportation, accommodation, meals, and other incidentals.
In response to the allegations, Chavez-DeRemer’s attorney, Nick Oberheiden, said the secretary “firmly denies any allegations of wrongdoing,” maintaining that the claims are false and misleading.
The Department of Labor has confirmed that several staff members who previously worked closely with Chavez-DeRemer have been placed on administrative leave as part of the ongoing inquiry. However, according to Politico, it remains unclear who is currently overseeing the day-to-day operations of her office.
Chavez-DeRemer’s husband, Shawn DeRemer, has also rejected the allegations, strongly denying any suggestion of an affair. “There’s not an ounce of truth to this,” he said, adding that anyone familiar with his wife would know the claims are unfounded.
The White House has acknowledged the existence of the investigation but stated that the President continues to stand by his Labour Secretary. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump believes Chavez-DeRemer is “doing a tremendous job at the Department of Labour on behalf of American workers,” despite the allegations and ongoing probe.
