A former feminine colleague of highly effective lefty union boss Dave Regan has hit out and accused him of violently assaulting her within the office they as soon as shared.
Courtni Pugh, former head of SEIU California State Council, says Regan kicked open her workplace door in 2009, “jacked” her towards a wall, pushed his finger towards her chest and screamed that she was a “dumbass.”
Further allegations towards Regan included extortion and threats.
Regan has denied assaulting Pugh and referred to as the allegations an try by billionaires, Gov. Newsom and Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Xavier Becerra to assassinate his character weeks earlier than voters determine the destiny of Proposition 40, his signature poll measure.
Pugh first outlined the allegations in a report Friday by the Los Angeles Instances that alleged pervasive misconduct and aggressive habits by Regan, who’s the president of SEIU-United Healthcare Employees West (SEIU-UHW).
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“I advised my colleagues and group leaders when it occurred,” Pugh mentioned in a press release to the California Submit.
“I used to be requested to take part within the later investigation as a result of so many individuals had heard in regards to the 2009 incident over time.”
“I selected to take part within the investigation as a result of I noticed that his habits had continued and in hopes that nobody else must endure this type of remedy from him.”
Regan’s denial
Officers for Newsom and Becerra didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Regan claimed on Friday to the Submit that Pugh’s declare was “fabricated” and “it’s a matter of public file that she is working for the No on Proposition 40 marketing campaign.”
Regan additionally claimed Pugh’s claims have been a part of a “smear marketing campaign” tracing again to a vacation occasion Newsom hosted final yr.
However Pugh slammed Regan’s feedback, calling them “offensive to the ladies and individuals who have needed to endure his threatening habits.”
Regan mentioned that Pugh first shared particulars of the alleged 2009 encounter on the occasion whereas within the firm of the governor’s inside circle, SEIU State Council employees and a individual working for the billionaires.
The labor boss unloaded on California’s governor for opposing Prop. 40 whereas failing to supply a plan to stop looming federal healthcare cuts.
Substantiation
Regan mentioned Newsom’s posture — opposing a state wealth tax whereas supporting a nationwide tax — was particularly baffling for a Democrat making ready for a presidential marketing campaign, claiming polling exhibits overwhelming help nationally for taxing billionaires.
Regan has a popularity as a bruising political operator identified for pushing statewide poll measures as political leverage — and even Newsom hinted at frustration along with his ways final yr.
“Now we have one person that represents one labor union within the state of California that has not collected one signature that’s contemplating placing on the poll, after he collects signatures, a wealth tax that the overwhelming majority of labor opposes,” Newsom griped in December.
Investigators from labor regulation agency Cohen, Weiss and Simon substantiated allegations towards Regan throughout a broader probe performed between April and July, which was initiated by the union. Regan denied
Pugh’s account, however the agency cited her interview and testimony from a colleague who spoke together with her instantly after the alleged confrontation, in response to the Los Angeles Instances.
The investigation additionally partially substantiated allegations that Regan bullied, intimidated or tried to strain different labor leaders into supporting Proposition 40. David Huerta, the previous president of the SEIU California State Council, accused Regan of making an attempt to extort the group for an endorsement of the billionaire tax.
