The Labor Department's Office of Inspector General released a report on Thursday, September 3, 2026, concluding that former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer fostered a "toxic, intimidating and humiliating" workplace environment. The investigation, led by Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito, found that Chavez-DeRemer violated department policies regarding harassment and the use of government resources for personal tasks. She resigned from her post in April 2026, one day before she was scheduled to be interviewed by investigators.
The probe began following an anonymous complaint and involved interviews with 53 current and former employees. The report detailed instances where senior officials demeaned staff in front of colleagues and threatened terminations. Investigators also looked into allegations of an inappropriate relationship between Chavez-DeRemer and a member of her security detail. While the report found no direct evidence of a romantic relationship, it concluded the pair maintained an "inappropriately close and unprofessional relationship" that included an incident where a security agent was pressured to give money to a performer at a strip club.
Further findings indicated that Chavez-DeRemer used government staff for personal errands during work hours, such as organizing her bedroom closet and hanging dry cleaning at her residence. The report also alleged that the former secretary failed to properly report at least five gifts, including a scarf and cowboy hats, and that official travel was sometimes scheduled to provide justification for personal trips. Chavez-DeRemer's attorney, Nick Oberheiden, stated that the report "confirms that Secretary Chavez-DeRemer did not violate any laws" and said she looks back with pride on her service.
The findings describe a workplace where federal staff were allegedly diverted to perform personal domestic tasks for a Cabinet official. The report highlights instances where a Hispanic federal employee was used as a personal translator at the secretary's home and others were tasked with organizing shoes and purses during the workday.
The reported misconduct involved the use of department-provided vehicles and staff time for non-government purposes. The report notes that two top aides, the chief of staff and deputy chief of staff, were terminated in March 2026. For the broader federal workforce, the report serves as a formal finding that a department head failed to follow the agency's own anti-harassment policies regarding verbal abuse and demeaning comments.
The report identified a December 2025 trip to Las Vegas where an official engagement was allegedly added to cover the cost of personal travel to a rodeo. Following Chavez-DeRemer's resignation, Keith Sonderling has served as the acting labor secretary. President Trump nominated Sonderling to fill the position permanently in June 2026, and he continues to lead the department while the nomination process proceeds.