Labor Secretary’s Husband Barred From Department Premises After Assault Claims, Nytimes Coverage

The husband of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has been barred from the department’s Washington headquarters after at least two female staff members said he touched them inappropriately, a development detailed in reporting that referenced a police report and office security footage. The case has prompted a criminal inquiry by the Metropolitan Police Department and overlapped with an inspector general probe into conduct in the secretary’s office.

Nytimes: Police report and footage cited

At least two women told investigators that Dr. Shawn DeRemer touched them inappropriately inside the Labor Department’s main building. One of the incidents, on the morning of Dec. 18 during working hours, was recorded on office security cameras; the footage showed an extended embrace and was reviewed as part of a criminal investigation. A police report filed on Jan. 24 referenced forced sexual contact at the department in December, and the Metropolitan Police Department’s sexual assault unit is investigating the matter.

Building restriction and immediate steps

After the women described the incidents to investigators, a building restriction notice was issued barring Dr. DeRemer from entering the Labor Department’s premises. The notice instructs that if he attempts to enter the building he is to be asked to leave. The restriction followed the police report and the internal review of the camera footage; the police report tied to the department’s address is the only one from the last three months linked to that location, municipal records referenced in coverage.

Staff, inspections and outstanding probes

The developments come amid a widening misconduct scandal inside the agency. The inspector general’s office opened an internal investigation that includes separate allegations about the secretary’s conduct and the behavior of members of her inner circle. That investigation covers a formal complaint alleging an inappropriate sexual relationship between the secretary and a member of her security detail, claims that staff were taken to strip clubs and that alcohol was consumed on the job, and allegations of personal trips paid for at taxpayer expense. Several aides and security staff connected to the secretary have been placed on administrative or investigative leave while these inquiries continue. The secretary’s lawyer has denied the allegations tied to the internal probe.

Known public statements and next steps

Dr. DeRemer, an anesthesiologist who frequently visited his wife’s Washington offices, did not respond to a request for comment. A department spokeswoman did not provide a comment, and the secretary’s lawyer declined to comment on the building restriction notice and the police inquiry. The police investigation is active; the inspector general’s review is ongoing and includes separate workplace-misconduct allegations. If the police sexual assault unit advances criminal charges, that would move the matter into the prosecutorial process; if the inspector general completes its review, it could lead to administrative findings and personnel actions within the department.

• At least two female staffers say they were touched inappropriately inside the department.
• Security footage from Dec. 18 was reviewed as part of a criminal investigation; a Jan. 24 police report cites forced sexual contact in December.
• Dr. DeRemer has been barred from entering the Labor Department’s building; multiple internal inquiries are ongoing.