Multiple Labor Department staffers are on leave amid IG investigation into Secretary Chavez-DeRemer
WASHINGTON — Several Labor Department employees have been placed on leave pending an inspector general investigation into allegations of misconduct by Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, according to two people familiar with the matter.
At least one additional staff member was temporarily relieved of duty after two longtime aides were placed on administrative leave earlier this week as part of the investigation, the sources said.
Chavez-Remer’s chief of staff, Jihun Han, and his deputy, Rebecca Wright, are both under investigation for alleged “travel fraud” by hosting work events for their boss as a pretext for personal travel, the sources said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Labor’s inspector general told NBC News that the office’s policy is “neither to confirm nor deny the existence or non-existence of any OIG investigation or complaint beyond what is posted on our website.” DOLOIG remains committed to eradicating fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption through objective, independent oversight from the U.S. Department of Labor. »
The New York Post was first to report that a formal complaint had been filed against Chavez-DeRemer, which also alleges she had an “inappropriate” relationship with a subordinate. Both sources confirmed details of that complaint and the resulting IG investigation to NBC News.
A Department of Labor spokesperson said he “will not comment on internal or personnel matters,” adding, “The Secretary remains focused on achieving the Department’s mission and supporting America’s workers.” »
The White House referred NBC News to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s statement Thursday that Trump was aware of the investigation and “stands with the secretary.” But she could not confirm whether the president had spoken to Chavez-DeRemer about the investigation.
“He thinks she’s doing a tremendous job at the Department of Labor on behalf of American workers,” Leavitt said during a press briefing Thursday.
The 57-year-old former Oregon congresswoman served one term, from 2023 to 2025. Both Han and Wright worked for Chavez-Demer when she was in Congress. Han did not immediately respond to a request for comment and Wright’s contact information could not be located.
The inspector general in charge of the investigation for the Department of Labor, Anthony D’Esposito, took office last week. D’Esposito, a former Republican congressman, was Chavez-DeRemer’s colleague in the House; he represented New York’s 4th congressional district from 2023 to 2025.
Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed by the Senate as labor secretary in March by a vote of 67 to 32.
As Trump reaches the one-year mark in office in his second term, he has boasted about the strength of his Cabinet and dismissed any concerns about a major shakeup.
“I have good people,” Trump said earlier this month, praising his top aides compared to the tougher departures that marked his last term. “I like them better than my first group.”
