Powerful union leader Dave Regan has been accused of workplace assault by a former colleague, Courtni Pugh, who claims he violently attacked her in 2009. Regan, president of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them a "smear campaign" orchestrated by billionaires and allies of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Pugh, formerly the head of SEIU California State Council and now a consultant, alleges that Regan kicked open her office door, "jacked" her against a wall, and screamed at her. She stated that she decided to participate in a later investigation because Regan's behavior had allegedly continued and in hopes that no one else would endure similar treatment.
Regan suggested that Pugh's claims are fabricated and tied to her work with the "No on Proposition 40" campaign, which opposes his signature ballot measure. He asserted that Pugh first shared details of the alleged 2009 incident at a holiday party hosted by Newsom last year, in the presence of the governor's inner circle, SEIU State Council staff, and a person working for billionaires.
Officials for Newsom and Xavier Becerra, a Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Regan criticized Newsom's stance against Proposition 40, a state wealth tax, while the governor has not presented a plan to prevent federal healthcare cuts. Regan characterized Newsom's position as contradictory for a Democrat preparing for a presidential campaign, citing national polling that indicates significant support for taxing billionaires.
An investigation conducted by the labor law firm Cohen, Weiss and Simon between April and July, initiated by the union, partially substantiated allegations against Regan. The firm cited Pugh's interview and testimony from a colleague who spoke with her immediately after the alleged confrontation, according to the Los Angeles Times, which first reported on the allegations. The investigation also found partial substantiation for claims that Regan bullied, intimidated, or pressured other labor leaders to support Proposition 40. David Huerta, former president of the SEIU California State Council, accused Regan of attempting to extort the organization for an endorsement of the billionaire tax.
Regan has a reputation as a forceful political operator, often using statewide ballot measures as leverage. Newsom himself expressed frustration with Regan's tactics in December, noting that a union leader was considering putting a wealth tax on the ballot after collecting signatures, despite opposition from the majority of labor organizations.