California’s most powerful union boss threatened women, tried to ‘extort’ billionaire tax support: probe

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 the SEIU’s state council.

He is also 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 assault allegedly occurred in 2009.

Regan and SEIU-UHW denied the allegations in a statement to the California Post, claiming the union boss is being targeted because of his campaign to impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaires’ wealth, which would backstop federal health care cuts.

“At the center is a trumped-up claim from 17 years ago that comes less than two months before the billionaire tax goes to the voters — a claim from someone whose firm is being paid handsomely to work against the billionaire tax,” SEIU-UHW officials said.

Regan and his union accused the Los Angeles Times, which detailed findings in the labor investigations Friday, of taking steps to protect the financial interests of Patrick Soon-Shiong, the newspaper’s billionaire owner.

“It appears to be another case of a billionaire newspaper owner using his platform to protect himself and his friends,” SEIU-UHW officials said. “Not surprisingly, the Times seems to be more interested in protecting billionaires than protecting healthcare for Californians.”

Four labor officials, led by former SEIU California State Council President David Huerta, reportedly filed formal complaints against Regan in February. The firm interviewed 18 current and former labor officials over nearly three months and substantiated several allegations against Regan, who leads one of California’s largest and most politically influential unions.

Huerta told investigators that Regan raised unspecified “governance issues” during a Dec. 3 conversation and demanded the state council endorse Proposition 40 by Jan. 1.

“Huerta then asked Regan if it was his intention to initiate an investigation,” the report said.

“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.”

Investigators determined Regan likely suggested he could cause the Trump administration’s Department of Labor to scrutinize the council. Huerta said he left the conversation feeling “extorted.”

Regan allegedly issued an even more direct warning that same 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,” according to her account to investigators.

Orr said Regan later rode with her to the airport, sat beside her on their flight and tapped his watch when they separated, which she interpreted as a warning that her time was running out.

Regan called Orr’s allegations “completely fabricated.” Orr and Huerta could not be reached for comment.

The investigations also examined Pugh’s claim that Regan physically attacked her during a workplace confrontation in 2009.

Regan allegedly kicked open Pugh’s office door, “jacked” her against a wall, pushed a finger into her chest and screamed that she was a “dumb ass.” Investigators found her account credible.

SEIU-UHW noted that Pugh is now a partner at Hilltop Public Solutions, a political consulting firm working against Prop. 40, and argued that her current financial and political interests cast doubt on the timing of the accusation.

“The oldest claim comes from a political operative working professionally against Proposition 40, the initiative being led by the elected leadership and members of SEIU-UHW,” the union said.

“They now offer a disputed and internally contradictory account of a verbal interaction approximately 17 years ago.”

Pugh has said she informed colleagues and union leaders about the alleged incident when it happened and only participated in the investigation after hearing that Regan’s behavior had continued.

A separate inquiry commissioned by SEIU California also substantiated allegations that Regan engaged in a pattern of intimidating or threatening conduct toward female directors, including government relations director Jessica Bartholow.

SEIU-UHW acknowledged that Regan told Bartholow to “f— off” during a crowded political event in March, but said she had treated union staff and members abusively before approaching him.

The union also confirmed Regan called another official a “coward,” while insisting neither remark amounted to a threat.

“Union leaders will own every word they actually said,” SEIU-UHW officials said. “They will not own conduct that did not occur.”

The union accused SEIU California attorney Glenn Rothner of promoting the claims because of longstanding personal conflicts with Regan. UHW said it stopped employing Rothner’s firm after paying it more than $1 million in legal fees and that Regan later called for Rothner’s removal over his handling of information involving former council executive director Alma Hernández.

Hernández pleaded guilty in 2022 to felony grand theft involving political funds and a felony tax offense.

Investigators rejected Regan’s claim that the charges were retaliation for his Prop. 40 advocacy.

They also reviewed evidence that a Regan representative offered to withdraw part of his counterclaim if the state council endorsed billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer for governor.

A council representative rejected what was described as a proposed “behind-the-scenes trade,” while Regan dismissed the allegation as a “complete fabrication.”

The state council voted in July to remain neutral on Prop. 40, which would retroactively impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaires who lived in California as of Jan. 1.

Regan remains president of SEIU-UHW while the national union prepares an evidentiary hearing. He has been temporarily barred from SEIU California’s offices.

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