Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is being pressed by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to respond to allegations that she committed travel fraud and had an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, who was her security guard, according to published reports.
Bloomberg Law reported Thursday that Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a "sharply worded" letter to Chavez-DeRemer on Wednesday requesting that she address "multiple claims reported by the New York Post, including that she took staff to a strip club in Portland, Oregon, and fabricated official work trips so she could 'travel for pleasure, while having the American taxpayer foot the bill.'"
Grassley, according to Bloomberg Law, "also asked for details about her travel to Palm Beach, as well as four visits to Las Vegas last year, two of which allegedly included the staffer said to be in an inappropriate relationship with Chavez-DeRemer," as well as information about allegations that "senior Labor Department staff 'bullied' junior staff."
The Post also reported on Jan. 9 that Chavez-DeRemer is under an internal investigation "following an explosive complaint alleging she's been 'abusing her position' by pursuing an 'inappropriate' relationship with a subordinate," according to sources and documents reviewed by The Post.
The former Oregon congresswoman, according to the Post "is also accused of drinking in her office during the workday and committing 'travel fraud' by having her chief of staff and deputy chief of staff 'make up' official trips to destinations where Chavez-DeRemer can spend time with family or friends on the taxpayers' dime."
"Chavez-DeRemer, chief of staff Jihun Han, and deputy chief of staff Rebecca Wright — whom the complaint alleges are 'involved and have knowledge of these issues' — are all now under investigation by the DOL's Office of Inspector General," the Post said, citing sources and documents.
"These unsubstantiated allegations are categorically false," DOL spokeswoman Courtney Parella told the Post. "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. The Secretary is considering all possible avenues, including legal action, to fight these baseless accusations from anonymous sources."
The White House "so far has maintained support for Chavez-DeRemer," according to Bloomberg Law.
"The labor secretary's chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, and bodyguard have been placed on leave amid a DOL inspector general investigation into her conduct," Bloomberg Law reported.
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