Multiple Department of Labor employees have been placed on leave as the Office of Inspector General investigates alleged misconduct tied to Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Her chief of staff, Jihun Han, and deputy Rebecca Wright are reportedly being probed for alleged “travel fraud,” accused of using official events as cover for personal travel. A separate complaint, first reported by the New York Post and confirmed to NBC News sources, alleges an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. The White House says President Trump is aware of the probe and “stands by the secretary.”
Multiple Labor Department Staff Placed on Leave as IG Investigates Secretary Chavez-DeRemer; Aides Accused of 'Travel Fraud'
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer attends a news conference with House Republican leadership in the U.S. Capitol on the government shutdown in 2025. (Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)(Tom Williams)
WASHINGTON — Multiple employees at the U.S. Department of Labor have been placed on leave while the department's Office of Inspector General conducts an investigation into alleged misconduct involving Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, two people familiar with the matter told NBC News.
At least one additional staff member was temporarily relieved of duties after two longtime aides were placed on administrative leave earlier this week in connection with the probe. The aides under scrutiny are Chavez-DeRemer’s chief of staff, Jihun Han, and his deputy, Rebecca Wright. Sources say both are being investigated for alleged “travel fraud,” accused of arranging work events as a pretext for personal travel.
The New York Post first reported that a formal complaint had also been filed alleging Chavez-DeRemer pursued an “inappropriate” relationship with a subordinate. Two sources confirmed elements of that complaint and the resulting inspector general inquiry to NBC News. The Department of Labor declined to comment on internal or personnel matters, saying the secretary remains focused on the agency’s mission and supporting American workers.
Inspector General Response and Oversight
A spokesperson for the DOL Office of Inspector General told NBC News that the office's policy is “to neither confirm nor deny the existence or nonexistence of any O.I.G. investigation or complaint beyond what is published on our website.” The spokesperson added that the O.I.G. remains committed to “rooting out fraud, waste, abuse and corruption through objective, independent oversight of the U.S. Department of Labor.”
White House: Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump is aware of the investigation and “stands by the secretary.” She added that he believes Chavez-DeRemer is doing “a tremendous job at the Department of Labor on behalf of American workers.”
Timeline and Background
The inspector general overseeing the matter, Anthony D’Esposito, began his role just last week. D’Esposito is a former Republican congressman who served from 2023 to 2025 and was a House colleague of Chavez-DeRemer. Chavez-DeRemer, a 57-year-old former Oregon congresswoman, was confirmed as secretary of labor by the Senate in March by a 67-32 vote.
Han, Wright and other current or former staffers linked to the complaint did not immediately provide comment. NBC News reported the details based on interviews with two people familiar with the investigation; the O.I.G. and the Department of Labor provided only the statements noted above.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials say they will follow standard oversight procedures. This article will be updated as new, verifiable information becomes available.
Help us improve.
