Union chief behind billionaire tax measure alleges ‘smear’ marketing campaign towards him

SACRAMENTO — Labor chief Dave Regan claimed Friday that he was the sufferer of a “smear” marketing campaign orchestrated partially by rich Californians and stated he has been falsely accused of trying to “extort” an endorsement of the billionaire tax poll measure and of bodily assaulting a feminine union chief.

Investigations commissioned by the Service Workers Worldwide Union and SEIU California, and performed by outdoors legislation companies, decided the allegations towards Regan have been credible, together with reviews that he threatened and intimidated different feminine labor leaders. Regan, who’s president of SEIU-United Healthcare Staff West, vehemently denied the allegations, which have been first reported by The Occasions Friday morning.

Throughout a video information convention hours after the allegations have been revealed, Regan claimed the probes have been launched by opponents of Proposition 40 — the billionaire tax measure he helped place on the Nov. 3 poll — in addition to members of the SEIU California labor council with whom he had clashed prior to now.

Regan, joined by different SEIU-United Healthcare Staff West union leaders and members, additionally criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom for opposing the proposed one-time 5% tax on billionaires’ property.

Newsom is “attempting to curry favor with the richest folks within the state to fund [his] presidential marketing campaign,” Regan stated. “That’s shameful conduct.”

Newsom and different opponents of the measure, together with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra, Deliberate Parenthood Associates of California and the California Lecturers Assn., have expressed concern that Proposition 40 might push most of the state’s largest taxpayers to relocate and destabilize state funds.

“The Governor helps a nationwide tax on billionaires and is proud to face with lecturers, firefighters, reproductive well being clinics, and others in opposing this poorly written state measure that can hurt California,” Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon stated.

Regan additionally criticized The Occasions’ reporting on the allegations, and an editorial opposing Proposition 40. He alleged that Dr. Patrick Quickly-Shiong, The Occasions’ proprietor, influenced protection in regards to the measure as a result of he’s a billionaire.

“We stand by our reporting,” stated a Occasions spokesperson.

David Huerta, president of SEIU-United Service Staff West, and three different labor leaders filed a uncommon formal union cost towards Regan in February. The SEIU investigation report, which was reviewed by The Occasions, supported Huerta’s declare that in December, Regan urged the state council may very well be investigated for “governance points” if the council didn’t endorse the proposed billionaire tax. Huerta was then president of SEIU California, which together with their nationwide arm, didn’t endorse Proposition 40.

In July, the manager board for SEIU California voted to take a impartial place on the proposed wealth tax.

The investigation and a second inquiry performed on behalf of SEIU California substantiated allegations that Regan threatened and intimidated girls who labored for the state council. The investigation additionally decided an allegation that Regan bodily assaulted a former government director of the state labor group, Courtni Pugh, in 2009, was credible.

Regan referred to as the allegation that he assaulted Pugh a “full fabrication.” Regan and different SEIU-United Healthcare Staff West members downplayed Pugh’s allegations towards him due to her political consulting agency’s function opposing Proposition 40.

Pugh referred to as his remarks “offensive” to the ladies who participated within the unbiased investigation.

“My testimony and the testimony of the opposite girls have been substantiated by investigators,” she stated. “His claims weren’t.”

Regan stays in his job because the SEIU administrative course of strikes ahead with hearings. Regan will get an opportunity to make his case earlier than SEIU determines any acceptable disciplinary motion.

Occasions workers author Phil Willon contributed to this report.