The powerful California union boss seen as the mastermind behind California’s proposed billionaire tax allegedly tried to “extort” fellow labor leaders into backing the measure — and terrorized women who got in his way, according to two explosive investigations.
SEIU United Health Workers West President Dave Regan is under investigation for allegedly trying to strong-arm an endorsement from an SEIU state council, according to the Los Angeles Times.
He is accused of threatening and intimidating women employed by the council, as well as physically assaulting former SEIU executive Courtni Pugh, who’s now a political consultant leading the effort to stop the billionaire tax. The incident allegedly occurred in 2009.
Regan denied the allegations, according to the Times, and claimed he was being targeted because of his campaign to impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaires’ wealth.
“They are internally contradictory, they are fundamentally biased, and maybe most importantly, they are politically motivated,” Regan reportedly said about the probes.
Four labor officials, led by SEIU United Service Workers West President David Huerta, filed formal charges against Regan in February. A law firm retained by the national SEIU interviewed 18 people and concluded Regan likely threatened to trigger a federal investigation unless the SEIU California state council endorsed Proposition 40, otherwise known as the billionaire tax.
Huerta told investigators that Regan raised unspecified “governance issues” during a Dec. 3 conversation and left him feeling “extorted.”
“Huerta then asked Regan if it was his intention to initiate an investigation,” according to the Times’ report.
“Regan replied, ‘I don’t have to; there are others who would.’ In that conversation, Regan demanded a full endorsement of the billionaire’s tax initiative measure by the state council by Jan. 1.”
Regan allegedly delivered an even blunter warning that day to SEIU California Executive Director Tia Orr.
At a labor event, Regan told Orr that “state council better endorse this measure by Jan. 1 or I’m coming for you,” she told investigators.
Orr said Regan then followed her to the airport, sat beside her on their flight and tapped his watch as they separated — a gesture she understood to mean her time was running out.
Regan called Orr’s allegations “completely fabricated.”
The probes also revived an accusation that Regan physically attacked Pugh, a former SEIU California executive director, 17 years ago.
Pugh said Regan kicked open her office door, “jacked” her against a wall, pressed a finger into her chest and called her a “dumb ass.” Investigators reportedly found her account credible.
“It is a complete fabrication and a fiction made by somebody who has all of the incentive possible to critique or trash or criticize UHW generally, and me specifically, and no, there was no mention of it for 17 years,” Regan told the Times.
Pugh said union officials had known about the encounter for years.
“I told my colleagues and organization leaders when it occurred,” Pugh said in a statement.
“I was asked to participate in the later investigation because so many people had heard about the 2009 incident over the years. I chose to participate in the investigation because I saw that his behavior had continued and in hopes that no one else would have to endure this kind of treatment from him.”
A separate investigation also substantiated an allegation that Regan intimidated government relations director Jessica Bartholow during a March fundraiser in San Diego.
Regan remains president of SEIU-UHW while the national union prepares an evidentiary hearing. He has temporarily been barred from SEIU California’s offices to protect female employees, according to the Times.
The state council ultimately voted to remain neutral on Prop. 40 in July, dealing a setback to Regan and the measure’s supporters.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
