DETROIT - A court-appointed monitor investigating the United Auto Workers union has concluded that UAW President Shawn Fain retaliated against Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock, falsely accusing her of misconduct and improperly stripping her of responsibilities.

The monitor, Neil M. Barofsky, submitted a status report to a federal court in Michigan this week detailing an investigation into allegations between Fain and Mock, the two highest-ranking officials in the union.

People here in the Mahoning Valley may be familiar with Fain's role in successfully organizing workers at the Lordstown Ultium Cells plant, and winning them their first contract.

Barofsky's report states that Mock was "falsely accused of misconduct, subjected to retaliatory action by Fain, and improperly stripped of her responsibility for various departments and board assignments." The report found allegations against Mock — including claims she "weaponized" financial policies, obstructed union operations, and sought to improperly influence board votes — were either unsupported or unfounded.

The investigation concluded that Mock consistently applied union policy, driven by a commitment to accountability following past UAW financial scandals. Her removal, the report states, was "a consequence of her refusal to grant exceptions to the strict policy restrictions governing the expenditure of Union resources, including those within Fain’s inner circle."

The report alleges Fain acted on a "premeditated plan" to take action against Mock. It cites a widely reported warning from Fain that he would "slit [the] f--king throats" of anyone who interfered with his staff. The monitor determined Fain "orchestrated a coordinated effort to discredit and disempower a fellow elected officer."

The report recommends that the UAW's International Executive Board (IEB), or one of the union's appellate boards, immediately reverse Fain's actions and restore Mock’s departmental responsibilities and board assignments.

According to the report, at an IEB meeting on February 20, 2024, Compliance Director Marni Schroeder presented a Special Compliance Report detailing allegations against Mock. Mock, who stated she had no advance notice of the allegations, denied any intent to obstruct union business and maintained she consistently applied policies. Fain, however, rejected her explanation, stating Mock used financial policy to "inhibit and block and play games."

Following the report and policy amendments, Regional Director Laura Dickerson introduced a motion, seconded by Regional Director LaShawn English, to support the president's removal of all field assignments from Mock's oversight, except those mandated by the UAW Constitution. The IEB adopted the motion despite Mock’s objections, with one abstention and two opposing votes.

Fain subsequently removed 11 departments from Mock’s supervision and reassigned nine to himself, one to Dickerson, and one to English. He also reassigned Mock’s seats on the AFL-CIO and IndustriALL Global Union boards to English.

Mock then filed allegations with the monitor, claiming Fain instigated these actions in retaliation for her refusal to authorize what she considered improper expenditures. She also alleged Fain was following through on previous retaliatory threats. Mock’s appeals to the Union’s Convention Appeals Committee and Public Review Board are on hold pending the monitor’s investigation.

The monitor's investigation found no evidence that Mock improperly delayed or obstructed projects or purchasing decisions. Instead, delays were attributed to routine review processes and adherence to union vendor selection policies adopted after the fraudulent behavior that led to a consent decree. The report also found no substantiation for claims that Mock attempted to influence board votes by threatening to withhold expense approvals.

The only substantiated issue against Mock was her selection of yard sign designs for 2023 strikes that differed from those proposed by the Communications Department. The monitor concluded this conduct did not support the finding that she was "derelict" in her duties or justify the reassignment of her responsibilities.

The monitor's report further alleges Fain's retaliatory intent was evident through the "unsupported and pretextual nature" of the reasons given for Mock's removal, and a "premeditated and coordinated effort" by Fain and his staff to conceal their influence over the Special Compliance Report and the IEB motion.

Witness accounts indicated discussions of stripping departments from Mock's supervision occurred weeks before the IEB meeting. Regional Director Dickerson confirmed speaking with Fain in advance and agreeing to make the motion, stating the report's findings played no role in her decision.

Fain admitted to the monitor that he had asked Dickerson and English to move and second the motion to make it appear they were driving it, stating he believed having Black women present the motion against Mock, who is also Black, would shield him from potential accusations of racism.

The report also claims Fain's top Administrative Assistant, Chris Brooks, drafted the language for Dickerson's motion, including its reference to the Special Compliance Report.

The Special Compliance Report itself was "heavily shaped and substantially written by Fain’s staff," according to the monitor. Fain admitted asking Schroeder to "put together a list" of allegations against Mock.

Brooks and Communications Director Jonah Furman were actively involved in drafting portions of the report, including policy changes. Furman reportedly provided substantive edits, including deleting Schroeder’s initial conclusions and drafting the entire concluding paragraph that emphasized Mock had "weaponized" her role.

The report notes the Special Compliance Report "failed to take into consideration customary investigative steps, omitted exonerating and mitigating evidence, and ignored key witnesses," including Mock and her staff.

Additional instances cited as corroborating retaliatory intent include Fain's reported statement at a late 2023 staff meeting that he would "slit" or "cut" the "f--king throats" of anyone who "messed" with certain members of his core team. Employees reportedly interpreted this as a serious threat.

Two incidents also involved Fain expressing anger toward employees in departments overseen by Mock, believing they were acting at Mock’s direction. These included a verbally abusive confrontation with the Head of the Print Shop over a photo on a publication and anger towards the Properties and Maintenance Department for opposing hanging a banner due to warranty concerns. Both departments were later reassigned to Fain’s oversight.

The investigation also detailed reported instances of Fain cursing at Mock, including an incident where a witness said Fain told Mock, "Your only responsibility is to sign the f--king check," when she insisted on her duty to members.

As of Friday, the UAW had not filed an answer to the monitor's report.  21 News has reached out to the union for a response and is awaiting a reply.