Investigation against UAW President Shawn Fain

United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain is being investigated by an independent federal watchdog over allegations of retaliation against other union leaders, according to a court filing Monday. Watchdog Neil Barofsky launched an investigation in February to look into the allegations. Among other things, UAW Treasurer Margaret Mock alleged that she faced retaliation for not approving or reluctantly approving certain expenses for Fain’s office, the filing said. Barofsky also launched an investigation into Mock’s actions.

Investigation into Shawn Fain

Fain said in a statement that he encouraged the union leader to “investigate any allegations brought to his office because we know what they will find there: a UAW leadership that is committed to serving its members and running a democratic union.”

Fain added: “If we want to take our union in a new direction, sometimes we have to cause disruption, and that angers some people who want to maintain the status quo.”

ADRCorruption scandal

Barofsky was appointed federal overseer in 2021 as the UAW was grappling with a corruption scandal that led to the conviction of several former UAW leaders in federal court. Two former UAW leaders were sentenced to prison as part of the investigation.

accusations by Shawn Fain

Neil Barofsky also expanded his investigation to include allegations made by Shawn Fain against the head of the union’s Stellantis division, Rich Boyer, who took over Boyer’s duties in late May.

Union representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on behalf of Boyer and Mock.

Fain claimed Boyer’s duties were reassigned due to his “dereliction of duty” related to collective bargaining issues.

Investigation of UAW Chairman

The late Neil Barofsky received complaints that Fain’s decision was an act of retaliation because Boyer refused to engage in financial misconduct to benefit others, court records show.

Neil Barofsky said the union did not provide the documents he requested quickly enough. UAW officials turned over about 2,600 documents out of a potentially relevant inventory of about 116,000 documents, according to the filing.

The Justice Department also told Neil Barofsky that the union’s stance “makes it difficult, if not impossible, for the Monitor to fulfill his mandate to eliminate fraud, corruption and illegality within the UAW,” the filing said.

Shawn Fain, President of the UAW

Fain took office last year after narrowly winning the first direct election in the union’s history. He led the union through a six-week strike against Detroit automakers last fall and is spearheading a nationwide campaign to organize unions in the South and West.

Last month, the union lost a vote at a Mercedes plant in Alabama. Weeks earlier, it won a historic victory at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee.

Biden joined Fain at a picket in Michigan in September to support striking autoworkers. Fain also attended the 2024 State of the Union address after the UAW endorsed Biden in January.

Fain has emerged as an important figure for President Joe Biden this election year as the U.S. president seeks to win over auto workers and voters in Michigan, a key swing state.