by
Neil Barofsky
Following years of criminal investigations into the UAW and the indictment of two of its ex-presidents, a judge on Wednesday appointed a former federal prosecutor to be an independent monitor for the union.
U.S. District Judge David Lawson of Detroit, who previoulsy entered a consent decree to reform the union, named attorney Neil Barofsky as the monitor for a six-year period. The job gives him the authority to oversee the union operations, investigate possible fraud and impose discipline on UAW officers.
Barofsky, an attorney with the New York law firm, Jenner & Block, is a former federal prosecutor in the South District of New York.
Barofsky leads his firm’s monitorship practice and served as special inspector general for the Troubled Asset Relief Program. He also had served as the independent monitor of credit for Suisse Securities LLC and Credit Suisse AG, following billion dollar settlements.
He is a regular commentator in national print, radio and TV media, focusing on the CARES Act and related government stimulus legislation, his bio says.
“The men and women of the UAW deserve honest and faithful leaders dedicated to serving the best interests of the membership,” Acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin said in a statement. “We believe that oversight by an Independent Monitor will help to ensure that the rights and interests of the UAW’s membership are protected. I am confident that Neil Barofsky will provide tough but fair oversight of the UAW."
