SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is requesting the U.S. Department of Labor investigate the conduct of employee Lara Padgett , alleging she violated the ethics code for government employees . Padgett is an Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ) agent who investigated SeaWorld for safety violations after the death of Dawn Brancheau , a veteran trainer killed by a 12,000-pound orca named Tilikum in 2010 . As a result of some of Padgett 's findings , OSHA determined SeaWorld violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act , saying it exposed its workers to a `` known hazard '' in the workplace . OSHA fined SeaWorld and restricted the interaction between trainers in the water with the killer whales , a decision that SeaWorld has appealed . In a 228-page complaint filed Thursday , SeaWorld said it has obtained information showing Padgett is biased against the aquatic park and accused her of engaging in cronyism with the producers of the documentary , `` Blackfish , '' produced by Magnolia Pictures and acquired by CNN Films last year . The film explores the concept of keeping killer whales in captivity for entertainment . It set off a national debate resulting in significant backlash for SeaWorld . SeaWorld has long called `` Blackfish '' one-sided and claimed it is the product of animal activists . A spokesman for the Department of Labor 's inspector general said the office had received the complaint but could issue no further comment . Attempts to reach Padgett were not immediately successful Friday . Department of Labor spokesman Jesse Lawder said OSHA referred the matter to the inspector general in January , immediately after allegations first surfaced , and that the agency is awaiting the results of that investigation . In the complaint , SeaWorld alleges Padgett attended the 2013 Sundance Film Festival with `` Blackfish '' producers and accepted lodging free of charge . SeaWorld provided CNN with several purported photos of Padgett , lifted from what appear to be her personal social media accounts , showing the federal employee in various photos with the film 's cast and crew -- including a picture of the group in a `` Charlie 's Angels '' pose , complete with air guns , at the film 's premiere in New York . The company also accused Padgett of disclosing confidential information . `` Blackfish '' associate producer Tim Zimmermann asked to borrow a witness ' thumb drive and was subsequently seen working with Padgett on a laptop computer , the complaint says . The witness then found new documents related to OSHA 's investigation on the drive after it was returned -- documents , the complaint states were clearly labeled as SeaWorld trade secrets . The complaint does not identify the witness . Zimmermann told CNN no confidential documents were shared with him . `` I have no idea what to make of these accusations , '' he said . `` Lara Padgett never shared documents with 'Blackfish . ' There are no documents in the film . '' What 's more , Padgett was not invited to Sundance by the `` Blackfish '' crew , Zimmermann said . She stayed in the house where the crew stayed for a few nights due to a lodging shortage in the area , but she `` came on her own dime , '' he said. `` 'Blackfish ' does not have any , did not use any confidential documents , '' Zimmermann said . `` We obviously knew who she was . We tried to interview her , but ... all of OSHA declined to participate . '' He added , `` Any feelings she had on SeaWorld , it was on her own . '' Government employees are prohibited from divulging trade secrets . They face imprisonment , fines or termination if found in violation . `` We believe that this conduct demonstrates that she was influenced by improper considerations , and failed to bring the appropriate objectivity , in the investigation of the death of whale trainer Dawn Brancheau , '' the complaint states . `` SeaWorld further believes that Ms. Padgett 's disclosure of confidential information and other conduct reflect an intense bias and a desire to assist those in the animal rights community who have publicly , and for many years , demonstrated a desire to damage SeaWorld as a viable business . ''
OSHA referred case after allegations first surfaced . Lara Padgett investigated SeaWorld after an accident killed a worker in Florida . SeaWorld files complaint , saying that it divulged its trade secrets . It says Padgett attended ` ` ' '' meetings , accepted free lodging .