Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-I.A., demanded answers Wednesday from Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer over allegations she committed travel fraud while in an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.
It’s the first signs the embattled Cabinet member may be losing Republican support; Grassley is the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman.
In a sharply worded January 28 letter to Chavez-DeRemer, Grassley requested that she address multiple claims reported by the New York Post, including that she took staff to a strip club in Portland, Oregon, and fabricated official work trips so she could “travel for pleasure, while having the American taxpayer foot the bill.”
The letter requests a response no later than February 11.
Grassley’s intervention comes as the Department of Labor’s inspector general has begun to investigate allegations that Chavez-DeRemer abused her position and engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staffer. The probe has resulted in multiple employees being placed on administrative leave.
The investigation was triggered by a formal complaint filed in December with the DOL’s Office of Inspector General, according to the New York Post.
According to the Post report, the relationship was reportedly discussed internally months ago and dismissed by her chief of staff Jihun Han.
Han was placed on leave Monday along with his deputy Rebecca Wright. The subordinate in the alleged inappropriate relationship with the secretary was also placed on administrative leave. A security officer assigned to protect Chavez-DeRemer was placed on administrative leave January 16.
The complaint alleges she committed travel fraud by having her staff members make up official trips so she could spend time with family members and friends.
The Post report also cites sources who describe Chavez-DeRemer, 57, as a “boss from hell” who demands that aides run personal errands for her.
“We are aware of Senator Grassley’s inquiry and are cooperating fully with all lawful requests for information,” Chavez-DeRemer’s attorney said in a statement. “At this stage, the inquiry is preliminary and no findings have been made.” But, “we are confident that the current allegations can be clarified to a satisfactory conclusion.”
“Secretary Chavez-DeRemer firmly denies any allegations of wrongdoing.”
The White House has maintained support for Chavez-DeRemer despite the allegations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is aware of the probe and “stands by the secretary,” according to NBC News.
“He thinks that she’s doing a tremendous job at the Department of Labor on behalf of American workers,” Leavitt said in a press briefing Thursday.