Fain says allegations weaponized by election rival Rich Boyer

The Justice Department is investigating allegations that United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain abused his position to obtain financial benefits for his fiancée, according to people familiar with the matter. The investigation, which involves a grand jury, was disclosed in correspondence from the federal monitor overseeing the union.

The monitor, attorney Neil Barofsky of the law firm Jenner & Block, said in a June 25 report that Fain “acted improperly to obtain financial benefits for his fiancée.” Fain’s fiancée is a staff member at a training center jointly run by the UAW and Stellantis, according to the report. Barofsky, appointed to watch over the union after a corruption scandal that sent several top leaders to prison, said in an email to Fain and union Vice President Rich Boyer that he was withholding certain information out of deference to a grand jury investigation initiated by the Justice Department. The June 25 report did not mention a Justice Department investigation.

The UAW has not been subpoenaed in the matter, a union spokesman said.

Fain denied the allegations, calling them “trumped-up claims” from the monitor, who he said holds a “political grudge” against him, and from Boyer, his rival in the upcoming UAW election. “Let’s be clear about what’s going on here: Rich Boyer has fed the monitor false allegations about me and is now trying to weaponize these bogus allegations to steal the upcoming UAW election,” Fain said in a statement. “He knows he can’t win a fair fight because he has no real platform to run on.”

Boyer, a former Fain ally, is at the center of the allegation against Fain involving his fiancée. The monitor said in the June 25 report that Fain retaliated against Boyer after Boyer declined to approve a bonus for the training center staff. Fain removed much of Boyer’s responsibilities in 2024, saying Boyer had been derelict in his job. Boyer did not respond to a request for comment.

The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment. Bloomberg News earlier reported the existence of the investigation.