{"id":461411,"date":"2026-09-12T07:10:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-12T07:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/461411\/"},"modified":"2026-09-12T07:10:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T07:10:21","slug":"seiu-boss-dave-regan-accused-of-assaulting-courtni-pugh-in-california-billionaire-tax-feud","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/461411\/","title":{"rendered":"SEIU boss Dave Regan accused of assaulting Courtni Pugh in California billionaire tax feud"},"content":{"rendered":"

A former female colleague of powerful lefty union boss Dave Regan has hit out<\/a> and accused him of violently assaulting her in the workplace they once shared.<\/p>\n

Courtni Pugh, former head of SEIU California State Council<\/a>, says Regan kicked open her office door in 2009, \u201cjacked\u201d her against a wall, pushed his finger against her chest and screamed that she was a \u201cdumbass.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additional allegations against Regan included extortion and threats.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Dave Regan denied allegations that he assaulted a former labor leader who now works as a consultant to billlionaires. CA Post<\/p>\n

Regan has denied assaulting Pugh and called the allegations an attempt by billionaires, Gov. Newsom and Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Xavier Becerra<\/a> to assassinate his character weeks before voters decide the fate of Proposition 40, his signature ballot measure.<\/p>\n

Pugh first outlined the allegations in a report Friday by the Los Angeles Times<\/a> that alleged pervasive misconduct and aggressive behavior by Regan, who is the president of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW).<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n

California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI told my colleagues and organization leaders when it occurred,\u201d Pugh said in a statement to the California Post.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was asked to participate in the later investigation because so many people had heard about the 2009 incident over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI chose to participate in the investigation because I saw that his behavior had continued and in hopes that no one else would have to endure this kind of treatment from him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Courtni Pugh claims she was \u201cjacked\u201d against a wall by Regan in 2009. APAICS<\/p>\n

Regan\u2019s denial<\/p>\n

Officials for Newsom and Becerra did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Regan claimed on Friday to the Post that Pugh\u2019s claim was \u201cfabricated\u201d and \u201cit is a matter of public record that she is working for the No on Proposition 40 campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regan also claimed Pugh\u2019s claims were part of a \u201csmear campaign\u201d tracing back to a holiday party Newsom hosted last year.<\/p>\n

But Pugh slammed Regan\u2019s comments, calling them \u201coffensive to the women and people who have had to endure his threatening behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regan said that Pugh first shared details of the alleged 2009 encounter at the party while in the company of the governor\u2019s inner circle, SEIU State Council staff and a person working for the billionaires.<\/a><\/p>\n

The labor boss unloaded on California\u2019s governor for opposing Prop. 40 while failing to offer a plan to prevent looming federal healthcare cuts.<\/p>\n

Regan has been described as the mastermind behind the controversial billionaire tax. AP Photo\/Annie Barker<\/p>\n

Substantiation<\/p>\n

Regan said Newsom\u2019s posture \u2014 opposing a state wealth tax while supporting a national tax \u2014 was especially baffling for a Democrat preparing for a presidential campaign, claiming polling shows overwhelming support nationally for taxing billionaires.<\/p>\n

Regan has a reputation as a bruising political operator known for pushing statewide ballot measures as political leverage \u2014 and even Newsom hinted at frustration with his tactics last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have one individual that represents one labor union in the state of California that has not collected one signature that is considering putting on the ballot, after he collects signatures, a wealth tax that the vast majority of labor opposes,\u201d Newsom griped in December.<\/p>\n

Investigators from labor law firm Cohen, Weiss and Simon substantiated allegations against Regan during a broader probe conducted between April and July, which was initiated by the union. Regan denied<\/p>\n

On the wealth tax, Becerra seems to have taken the position of advisers he shares with Newsom. Daniel Cole<\/p>\n

Gov. Gavin Newsom has hired Pugh as a political consultant in the past and hosted her at his holiday party in 2025. AP Photo\/Nell Redmond<\/p>\n

Pugh\u2019s account, but the firm cited her interview and testimony from a colleague who spoke with her immediately after the alleged confrontation, according to the Los Angeles Times.<\/p>\n

The investigation also partially substantiated allegations that Regan bullied, intimidated or tried to pressure other labor leaders into supporting Proposition 40. David Huerta, the former president of the SEIU California State Council, accused Regan of trying to extort the organization for an endorsement of the billionaire tax.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t