According to court documents filed on Monday, United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain is under investigation by an independent federal monitor for allegations of retaliation against other union leaders.
Monitor Neal Barofsky initiated an investigation in February to review allegations made, among others, by UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock. The document shows that Mock claimed she faced retaliation for refusing or being unwilling to approve certain expenditures from Fain's office. Barofsky is also investigating Mock's conduct.
In a statement, Fain said he encourages the monitor to "investigate all allegations submitted to them, as we know they will find that the UAW leadership is committed to serving the members and running a democratic union."
Fain added, "Taking our union in a new direction sometimes means breaking the mold, and that can unsettle those who want to maintain the status quo."
Barofsky was appointed as a federal monitor in 2021 when the UAW was embroiled in a corruption scandal that led to federal convictions of several former leaders. As part of the investigation, two former UAW presidents were sentenced to prison.
The monitor has also expanded the investigation to include allegations by Fain against Richie Boyer, the union's Stellantis department leader. Fain took over Boyer's duties at the end of May.
Union officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on behalf of Boyer and Mock.
Fain accused Boyer of being reassigned due to "dereliction of duty" regarding collective bargaining issues.
