An inspector general report released Thursday found that former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer violated department policy by maintaining an unprofessional relationship with her bodyguard and directing a subordinate to give money to a performer at a strip club. Chavez-DeRemer resigned in April, three months after an investigation into her conduct was first reported.
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) concluded that a "preponderance of the evidence substantiated multiple violations of DOL [Labor Department] policy." According to the report, Chavez-DeRemer "developed and maintained an inappropriately close and unprofessional relationship with [security guard Brian Sloan] while he exercised supervisory and operational authority over her protective detail that was inconsistent with federal impartiality and preferential-treatment standards." The report also stated she "failed to comply with DOL policy prohibiting harassment in the workplace."
However, the OIG noted that there was insufficient evidence to confirm whether Chavez-DeRemer and Sloan engaged in a romantic or sexual relationship.
The watchdog report also detailed an April 2025 incident where Chavez-DeRemer took subordinates, including Sloan, to an Oregon strip club. During the visit, Chavez-DeRemer "took money from her purse, gave the money to the driver [a member of security detail], and directed him to give it to the performer." When the agent hesitated, Sloan instructed him to comply with Chavez-DeRemer's requests. Chavez-DeRemer then provided additional money and asked the agent to drop it onto the performer. The agent again hesitated, but Sloan again told him to follow instructions, which the agent did against his wishes.
The report identified four additional policy violations by Chavez-DeRemer: combining personal and official travel improperly, consuming alcohol on federal property without authorization, directing government employees to perform personal tasks using official time and resources, and failing to report gifts through required channels.