Former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-De Remer violated department policy repeatedly, including tolerating harassment and conducting an "inappropriate relationship" with a security detail member, a department watchdog report found. More than three dozen witnesses described her office as "toxic, intimidating and humiliating." The 40-page investigation detailed spending public money on personal travel, fancy hotels, S. U.

V. rentals, and strip clubs. Ms. Chavez-De Remer, 58, resigned in April after one year. She frequently billed personal trips to the government, including travel to locations with friends or family. The report also accused her of accepting unreported gifts, such as an alligator-hide wallet and rodeo tickets.

Her chief of staff and deputy chief of staff faced consequences following the investigation. Ms. Chavez-De Remer recently started a political action committee aimed at electing Republicans who support organized labor. Her father was a Teamster, and Sean O’Brien, president of the Teamsters union, urged President Trump to choose her. Ms. Chavez-De Remer lost her re-election bid in November 2024. Keith Sonderling, the acting leader, awaits Senate confirmation to become the next secretary.