Labor Sec. DeRemer steps down

By Oregon Campaign Watch,

Labor Sectretary and former Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer has stepped down to take a job in the private sector.  She will be replaced by Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling.

Fox News reported, “The news of Chavez-DeRemer’s exit comes as an inspector general investigates a slew of complaints against her, such as that she created a hostile work environment, used work trips for personal leisure, engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a member of her security team, and that her husband was making unwanted advances toward Labor Department officials.Reporting on the complaints indicates Chavez-DeRemer requested staff to perform private errands for her and her husband, like picking up their dry cleaning, getting them wine and cleaning out the Secretary’s closet, while using threats to ensure compliance. Text messages obtained by the Labor Department’s Inspector General also reportedly showed Chavez-DeRemer’s family members routinely sending personal requests and messages to young staff members. Meanwhile, other complaints have alleged drinking on the job and keeping stashes of liquor around the office, according to the New York Post, which first reported the complaints in January.”