In a move that has sent ripples through the Department of Labor (DOL), authorities have issued a building restriction notice to Dr. Shawn DeRemer, the husband of current Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. The restriction comes after two female staffers accused Dr. DeRemer of sexual assault within the confines of the agency's Washington, D.C., headquarters.
The alleged incidents took place in December at the Labor Department building on Constitution Avenue. One episode, reportedly captured by security cameras, shows Dr. DeRemer engaging in an extended embrace with a staffer, an action that has since spurred a criminal investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department's Sexual Assault Unit.
According to reports filed in late January, the staffers detailed instances of unwanted sexual contact. Politico obtained a police report describing a December 18 incident where a staffer alleged forced sexual contact. To protect privacy, the names of the alleged victims and other identifying details have not been disclosed.
Amidst these allegations, the Labor Department's Office of Inspector General (OIG) is conducting a broader inquiry into alleged misconduct involving Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and her staff. This investigation includes probing claims of an inappropriate relationship between the secretary and a member of her security detail, potential misuse of official travel for personal reasons, and alcohol consumption during work hours.
In connection with the investigation, the secretary’s chief of staff and deputy chief of staff have been placed on administrative leave. Furthermore, a member of the security detail has been removed from duty while the allegations of improper conduct are reviewed.
Dr. DeRemer, an anesthesiologist based in Portland, Oregon, has not been criminally charged, and neither he nor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has made public comments on the situation. A lawyer representing the secretary has declined to discuss her husband, and the Labor Department spokesperson has also withheld comment.
The investigation has cast a spotlight on the ethics and accountability at the Department of Labor. Newsmax reports that the OIG is reviewing whether official resources, including taxpayer-funded travel, were used for personal benefit and whether aides improperly influenced departmental decisions for political or personal gain.
Despite the controversy, the White House has expressed continued support for Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, with department spokesperson Courtney Parella stating to the New York Post that the secretary has adhered to all ethics rules and remains fully engaged in her duties. Parella added that Chavez-DeRemer is considering legal action to counter the "baseless accusations from anonymous sources."
Authorities and internal investigators are meticulously reviewing video evidence, conducting interviews, and following additional leads to determine the necessity of criminal charges or administrative actions.
The high-profile nature of the case has prompted a renewed focus on operational oversight, security protocols, and accountability within the Department of Labor, highlighting the inherent challenges in monitoring conduct at the highest levels of federal agencies.
