Ukrainian Rabbis as portrayed by Der Nister

Der Nister paints the Rabbis in a devastating light, official Rabbis that is. The Berdichever Rov Reb Dudi is callous; he conspires with the worst, criminal elements in the city and causes destruction of one of the characters. Yakov Yossi the riches man in the Berdichev related to Karliner, Rachmastriver and other Rebbes is a cold corporate raider who destroyed many Jewish businesses including that of Moshe Mashber, ultimately killing the man.

Considering the fact that Der Nister describes Breslovers and especially Luzi Mashber with great admiration and considering that his is not at all hostile to religion, the opposite. Did Der Nister intentionally describe the Rabbis in a very bad light to balance off his admiration for religion in the book, to please his CCCP handlers?

We would never know for sure but in the context of what we know about the treacherous legacy of the Ukrainian Rebbes I think Der Nister was genuine and sincere (and a true witness) in his criticism.