SEIU President Dave Regan Faces Allegations

SACRAMENTO — An investigation by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has raised allegations against Dave Regan, President of SEIU United Health Workers West. Regan is accused of attempting to extort an endorsement for a billionaire tax ballot measure from union leaders.

According to the investigation, Regan allegedly used threats and intimidation tactics against female employees of the state council. In one instance, Regan is accused of physically assaulting a former executive director of the labor organization.

Regan has denied the allegations in an interview, claiming that they are politically motivated and retaliatory due to his advocacy for Proposition 40, which proposes a wealth tax.

The national union hired Cohen, Weiss and Simon, a labor law firm, to independently investigate the claims. The firm conducted interviews with 18 current and former SEIU leaders. The investigation supported claims made by David Huerta and other labor leaders about Regan’s actions.

The investigation found evidence that Regan suggested investigating the state council for governance issues if they did not support the billionaire tax. He allegedly threatened Tia Orr, Executive Director of SEIU California, over the council’s position on the measure.

Charges were filed against Regan including bullying, harassment, physical violence, and extortion. These were substantiated by investigations, resulting in Regan’s temporary ban from SEIU California offices to protect female employees.

The investigation report stated, “Sufficient evidence was also found to substantiate that Regan has engaged in a pattern of subjecting former and current SEIU California female directors to intimidating and threatening physical behavior and verbal abuse.”

Dave Regan, however, remains in his position while the administrative process continues. He will have the opportunity to present his case before disciplinary action is decided upon by SEIU.

SEIU is dedicated to ensuring safety and well-being within its structure, initiating independent probes in response to these allegations. The investigation included a subset of extreme efforts by Regan in securing political endorsements.

The investigative report detailed incidents with Regan and Tia Orr, where Regan expressed his intent to seek endorsements aggressively for his tax proposal.

Another investigation by the Los Angeles law firm Barboza & Associates found Regan had an intimidating presence toward Jessica Bartholow, Government Relations Director, in a public setting.

Similarly, Susan Li, an assistant director, reported verbal abuse by Regan during an encounter.

Pugh, a former executive director, shared a distressing experience of physical assault from Regan in 2009, which was corroborated by colleagues.

In summary, the SEIU investigations have highlighted a pattern of alleged misconduct by Regan, including intimidation tactics and aggressive efforts in securing endorsements.