Dave Regan and the Billionaire Tax Investigation: Inside the SEIU Power Struggle
Dave Regan, president of SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, allegedly tried to extort labor leaders into endorsing California’s billionaire tax ballot measure, according to findings from independent legal investigations. Commissioned by Service Employees International Union and SEIU California, the probes also substantiated allegations that Regan engaged in a pattern of verbal abuse, intimidation, and threatening physical behavior directed at female labor leaders.
With Proposition 40 heading to the November ballot to impose a one-time 5% wealth tax on billionaires, the political stakes are high.
The Extortion Allegations and the December 3 Confrontation
The conflict boiled over in February when four labor officials, led by former SEIU California State Council President David Huerta, filed formal internal charges against Regan. To resolve the dispute under its constitution, the national SEIU hired the New York labor law firm Cohen, Weiss and Simon to conduct an independent review. Over nearly three months, investigators interviewed 18 current and former labor leaders, according to reports reviewed by the Los Angeles Times.
The investigation substantiated Huerta’s claim that during a Dec. 3 conversation, Regan demanded the state council fully endorse the billionaire tax initiative by Jan. 1. Regan reportedly suggested that if the council refused, it could face investigations into unspecified “governance issues.” Huerta told investigators he left the exchange feeling “extorted,” believing Regan might report the council to the United States Department of Labor—an agency known to be unfriendly to labor unions under the Trump administration.
When Huerta asked if Regan intended to initiate an inquiry himself, Regan allegedly replied, “I don’t have to; there are others who would,” as detailed in the investigative findings.
Targeting Female Leaders and Historical Assault Claims
Beyond the political strong-arming, the independent probes uncovered a pattern of intimidation directed at women within the union leadership. A second investigation commissioned by SEIU California through the Los Angeles law firm Barboza & Associates found sufficient evidence supporting claims that Regan subjected female directors to verbal abuse and intimidating and threatening physical behavior.
The SEIU national probe substantiated an allegation that Regan directly threatened Tia Orr, executive director of SEIU California, on the exact same day as his confrontation with Huerta. At a labor event, Regan allegedly warned Orr that the state council “better endorse this measure by Jan. 1 or I’m coming for you.” Orr told investigators that Regan later rode with her to the airport, sat beside her on their flight, and tapped his watch upon separation—a gesture she interpreted as a warning that her time was running out.
Furthermore, investigators determined that an allegation from 2009 involving Courtni Pugh, a former executive director of SEIU California and current political consultant leading the effort to stop the billionaire tax, was credible. Regan was accused of physically assaulting Pugh during her tenure, adding a historical dimension to the alleged pattern of abuse.
Denials, Counter-Claims, and Political Retaliation Allegations
Regan and SEIU-UHW have denied all allegations, contending that the investigations are a politically motivated smear campaign designed to punish him for championing Proposition 40. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Regan dismissed the findings as “internally contradictory, they are fundamentally biased, and maybe most importantly, they are politically motivated.”
SEIU-UHW officials doubled down on these claims in a statement, arguing that the timing of the 17-year-old assault allegation is suspicious given its proximity to the November election. The union also launched a counter-offensive against the Los Angeles Times, suggesting the newspaper’s coverage protects the financial interests of its billionaire owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong. “It appears to be another case of a billionaire newspaper owner using his platform to protect himself and his friends,” SEIU-UHW officials stated, adding that the publication seemed more interested in protecting billionaires than protecting healthcare for Californians.
While the national union investigated Regan’s claim that the charges were retaliation for his advocacy, the firm concluded that the retaliation allegation could not be substantiated.
Immediate Fallout and Next Steps for California Labor
In response to the investigative findings, state union officials have taken administrative action. Regan has been temporarily barred from entering the offices of SEIU California to protect female employees, according to the council’s report.
Christopher Calhoun, a spokesperson for SEIU California, emphasized the gravity of the findings in a public statement. “SEIU California leaders filed charges against Dave Regan alleging a pattern of bullying, threats, abuse, harassment, physical violence and attempted extortion,” Calhoun said. “Initial investigations pertaining to these charges substantiated most of SEIU California leaders’ allegations.”
As voters prepare to decide the fate of Proposition 40 on Nov. 3, the institutional battle inside labor ranks demonstrates how high-stakes tax policy can ignite internal warfare. How do you think labor organizations can effectively police internal misconduct while managing high-profile political campaigns? Share your thoughts below.
