Architect of billionaire tax tried to 'extort' support for the measure and targeted women, union reports find

Key Points:

• SEIU United Health Workers West President Dave Regan faces multiple allegations of extortion, intimidation, bullying, and physical assault, according to investigations commissioned by SEIU and SEIU California, with several female union leaders accusing him of threatening behavior.
• Investigations by independent law firms substantiated claims that Regan pressured the SEIU state council to endorse a billionaire tax ballot measure, threatened executive directors, and assaulted a former executive director in 2009, though Regan denies all allegations, calling them politically motivated retaliation.
• SEIU California temporarily banned Regan from its offices to protect female employees, while the national union continues an administrative process that may lead to disciplinary action, with Regan maintaining his innocence and attributing the complaints to opposition to his advocacy for Proposition 40.
• The probe revealed Regan’s aggressive tactics to secure political endorsements, including an alleged offer to drop misconduct charges in exchange for support of a gubernatorial candidate, which investigators described as likely extortion, though Regan denied this claim.
• Labor leaders emphasize the need to focus on the proposed billionaire tax as a solution to Medi-Cal funding cuts, despite the controversy surrounding Regan's leadership and behavior within the union.