Union Leader Behind California Billionaires' Tax Accused Of Harassing, Threatening Women

The president of SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, Dave Regan, is accused in a report commissioned by SEIU California of repeatedly intimidating and harassing several women linked to the union as he pushed a high-profile ballot measure to tax billionaires.

Allegations Detailed in Investigative Report

The investigative report, which SEIU California says was completed in June and was obtained by The Associated Press, includes interviews with current and former union members who say Regan pressured and tried to intimidate union leaders to secure support for the proposed billionaires' tax, Proposition 40. The Los Angeles Times was first to report the allegations.

Among the claims, investigators say Regan physically assaulted an SEIU leader more than 15 years ago during a political dispute and that he more recently engaged in repeated harassing or threatening behavior toward other female staffers and leaders. The report also alleges Regan used profanity, berated colleagues and issued threats to compel political support.

"I will own up to and take responsibility for anything that I've said and anything that I've done," Regan said at a news conference. "But I absolutely am not going to stand by and ... be expected to accept flat out lies."

Responses and Internal Action

Regan acknowledged using curse words with other union leaders but denied the physical-assault allegation. SEIU California says it has taken action after the investigation and filed charges with the SEIU International Union alleging a pattern of bullying, extortion and threats.

SEIU-UHW, the local that Regan leads and which endorses Proposition 40, accused opponents of leaking the report to damage the initiative and framed the allegations as politically motivated. "The billionaires are trying to play us all, but we're not falling for it," the union said in a statement. The broader SEIU California, however, has emphasized workplace values of respect and said leaders acted to uphold those standards.

Key Incident and Context

The report recounts a specific incident described by Courtni Pugh, the union's former executive director, who told investigators that before her 2009 resignation Regan yelled at her, kicked in her office door and backed her against a bookcase during a dispute. SEIU-UHW called that account a "trumped-up claim from 17 years ago" and noted Pugh's current firm has represented groups opposing Proposition 40. Pugh, in turn, said she joined the investigation because she had seen similar behavior continue and hoped to prevent others from experiencing it.

The document also says SEIU California Executive Director Tia Orr told investigators Regan warned her in December that the union needed to support the tax measure by Jan. 1 or "I'm coming for you," after which Orr said she felt unsafe and learned of other complaints from women who described threatening conduct.

Political Fallout: Proposition 40

Proposition 40 would impose a one-time, 5% tax on billionaires who live in California to help backfill federal funding cuts to health care for low-income residents. The measure has created divisions across the Democratic Party and among labor groups that are typically aligned: Regan's local supports the measure while the statewide SEIU California has not taken a formal position. Opponents and allies are sparring over the timing of the report and its potential impact on the campaign.

Next Steps

SEIU California says it has submitted formal charges to SEIU International and is pursuing internal disciplinary processes. Investigators and union officials say the allegations will be reviewed as part of that process. As the political campaign continues, both supporters and critics of Proposition 40 are weighing the report's claims and the potential implications for the ballot fight in November.