Dave Regan has denied allegations that he threatened women and tried to force an endorsement for California’s billionaire tax measure.
The SEIU United Health Workers West president, who helped architect the proposed tax on California’s wealthiest residents, is now under investigation over claims he attempted to strong-arm support from an SEIU state council, according to the Los Angeles Times. The probe centers on conduct that allegedly included intimidation of female employees and a physical altercation with a former union executive.
Regan, one of the state’s most powerful labor leaders, stands accused of multiple offenses tied to his push for the controversial tax initiative. Investigators are examining whether he used threats against women working at the council to advance his political agenda. The allegations also encompass a physical assault on a former SEIU executive, though details of that incident remain limited in early reporting.
The billionaire tax measure Regan championed has drawn significant attention for targeting California’s ultra-wealthy residents. His role in crafting the proposal had positioned him as a central figure in the state’s progressive economic policy movement. The investigation now threatens to overshadow that legislative legacy.
Regan has denied the allegations against him, the Los Angeles Times reported. His response came as the investigation began generating headlines across California political circles.
The SEIU state council at the center of the dispute has not been identified by name in initial coverage. The women allegedly targeted by Regan were employed by that council when the reported threats occurred.
Labor observers note that internal union politics in California often involve high-stakes battles over endorsements and policy positions. The alleged use of intimidation tactics to secure backing for a ballot measure would represent a significant breach of union protocol and potentially state law.
The physical assault allegation involving the former SEIU executive adds a criminal dimension to what might otherwise be viewed as an internal labor dispute. That component separates this case from typical union infighting and raises the possibility of law enforcement involvement beyond any internal SEIU review process.
The billionaire tax proposal itself has been described by critics as “ludicrous,” a characterization that appeared in early coverage of the scandal. Supporters had framed it as a necessary correction to wealth inequality in a state home to numerous billionaires.
Regan’s leadership of SEIU United Health Workers West made him a formidable player in California’s health care labor landscape. His local represents thousands of workers across the state’s massive health care industry, giving him substantial organizational resources and political influence.
The investigation remains in early stages, with additional details expected to emerge as officials continue their review of the allegations.