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Chavez-DeRemer brought security to strip club, drank on job, report says
USA Today • • world
Key Points:
- A federal watchdog investigation found that former U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer drank on the job, created a toxic work environment, misused government funds for personal travel, and accepted unreported gifts.
- The report detailed a 2025 incident where Chavez-DeRemer pressured a security agent to tip a stripper with bills one-by-one during a personal trip to Oregon, reflecting inappropriate workplace behavior.
- Chavez-DeRemer and her deputy chief of staff made discriminatory and derogatory remarks about employees’ appearance, race, sexual orientation, and fitness, contributing to a hostile work environment.
- The investigation revealed improper mixing of personal and official travel expenses, including trips to locations where Chavez-DeRemer had personal ties, with costs improperly charged to the Department of Labor.
- Witnesses reported that Chavez-DeRemer and senior staff regularly consumed alcohol during official duty hours and pressured others to drink, further exacerbating the toxic atmosphere; she resigned in April 2026 before an inspector general interview.
