DETROIT – A federal judge approved Friday a consent decree in which an independent monitor will watch over the United Auto Workers’ finances and operations for the next six years. According to court documents, “the Court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce the terms of this consent decree through Jan. 12. The approval comes one month after the UAW agreed to an independent monitor following a federal probe into corruption. Within six months of when the monitor is appointed, union members will decide by secret ballots whether they will vote directly to pick the union’s future leaders. Union members met with federal prosecutors in June as a first step to bring reform to the union.

DETROIT – The United Auto Workers and the U.S. attorney’s office in Detroit said they reached a settlement following a federal corruption investigation that’s stretched on for years. The goal of the settlement is to reform the union in the wake of a bribery and embezzlement scandal. The deal includes federal oversight for years to come and a critical vote by the rank and file. Federal authorities did not issue fines or penalties against the union, saying it would take away from members. UAW President Rory Gamble said while a dark chapter is now closed, he’s still disappointed by officials who stole from union members.