Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is demanding information from Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer amid a sprawling internal investigation into the Cabinet official’s alleged misuse of official travel and “inappropriate” relationship with a subordinate.
The powerful Senate Judiciary Committee chairman wrote to Chavez-DeRemer Wednesday asking for a response to allegations that she used departmental trips to “travel for pleasure, while having the American taxpayer foot the bill,” Bloomberg reported.
Grassley also inquired about the secretary allegedly taking staff to an Oregon strip club shortly after she was confirmed by the Senate and pursuing a relationship with someone in her department, according to the outlet.
The allegations of “travel fraud” and pursuing an “inappropriate” relationship were contained in a complaint filed with the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, which The Post revealed earlier this month.
The IG investigation has since uncovered additional evidence and received further complaints against Chavez-DeRemer, 57, her chief of staff Jihun Han and Han’s deputy, Rebecca Wright.
Han and Wright were placed on administrative leave days after The Post reported on the internal investigation.
Grassley has asked for Chavez-DeRemer to respond to his letter by Feb. 11.
Reps for Grassley and the Department of Labor did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
