Following the failure of a union attempt to organize the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Alabama, United Auto Workers (UAW) President Sean Fain is under investigation for allegedly engaging in significant corruption within the union.

Fain, who only took over as UAW president in March 2023, is accused of retaliating against union members for ignoring his demands.

The court-appointed oversight body Lead the investigation The investigation into possible corruption focused specifically on Fain's alleged attempts to “obstruct and interfere” with efforts by outside groups to obtain UAW-related information.

Fain's violations could violate a 2020 consent decree that blocked the UAW's full takeover by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“More than three months after the start of the monitor's investigation, and with only a small portion of the requested documents having been provided, the monitor determines that the union's delay in providing relevant documents has hindered and impeded access to information necessary for the monitor's investigation,” monitor Neal Barofsky said. “If left unaddressed, this will be a clear violation of the consent decree.”

“The union's alleged delays and in some cases denial of monitors' access to documents indicates a shift in the union's position on cooperation.”

Barofsky is not just looking into possible retaliation by Fain against the union's vice president: In a separate investigation, he is also looking into allegations of embezzlement against the union's regional director.

But Barofsky stressed that at this stage of the investigation, “allegations are just that — allegations.”

Fain released a statement about the investigation. “Sometimes you have to rock the boat to lead your union in a new direction. It will resent some who want to maintain the status quo, but our members expect and deserve better than business as usual,” Fain told The Associated Press. “We encourage the Oversight Committee to investigate whatever allegations are brought to them because we know what they will find. UAW leadership is committed to serving our members and running a democratic union.”

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on X. @ShipleyAusten