Watchdog investigates UAW president Shawn Fain, accuses union of being uncooperative

NEW YORK (AP) — United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain is under investigation by a court-appointed watchdog who has been working to stamp out corruption at the union in the wake of its stunning bribery and embezzlement scandal several years ago.

The monitor, Neil Barofsky, disclosed that he was investigating Fain — as well as other senior UAW officials — in his ninth report to Judge David M. Lawson on Monday. Barofsky also accused the union of a “recent lapse” in cooperation with his monitor duties, which he says began to erode earlier this year after his investigations into these individuals began.

The report, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit, outlines some clashes seen on UAW’s International Executive Board over recent months — particularly between Fain and secretary-treasurer Margaret Mock.

Back in February, the report notes, the board passed a motion in support of Fain that withdrew all field assignments assigned to Mock that were “not constitutionally required to be within her remit” and made other policy changes following allegations that she had engaged in misconduct during financial oversight responsibilities.

In response, Mock said the charges were false and alleged the removal of her authority was done in retaliation for “her refusal or reluctance” to authorize certain expenditures that benefited or were request by those in Fain’s presidential office, the report continues.

The monitor soon began investigating Fain, Mock and the conflicting claims. More recently, the report notes, the monitor expanded the investigation to include additional allegations of retaliation by the Fain against one of the union’s vice presidents — and in a unrelated probe, the monitor also began investigating a regional