June 10 (Reuters) - United Auto Workers President Shawn
Fain is under investigation by an independent federal monitor
over allegations of retaliation against other union leaders,
according to a court filing on Monday.
Monitor Neil Barofsky opened an investigation in February to
review allegations, including that the UAW secretary treasurer
said she had faced retaliation for her refusal or reluctance to
authorize certain expenditures for Fain's office, according to
the filing. Barofsky also opened a probe into the secretary
treasurer's actions. The UAW declined to comment.
Barofsky was appointed the federal monitor in 2021 as the
UAW grappled with a corruption scandal that resulted in the
federal convictions of several former leaders. Two former UAW
presidents were sentenced to prison time as part of the probe.
The monitor expanded his investigation to also include
allegations made by Fain against the leader of the union's
Stellantis ( STLA ) department. Fain took over the Stellantis ( STLA )
department leader's duties at the end of May.
Fain alleged that the Stellantis ( STLA ) department head's
responsibilities were reassigned because of their "dereliction
of duty" in connection with collective bargaining issues.
The monitor later received complaints that Fain's decision
was an act of retaliation because the Stellantis ( STLA ) head refused to
engage in acts of financial misconduct to benefit others,
according to the court filing.