Detroit’s bankruptcy hearing to lay bare the city’s financial woe
DETROIT’S bankruptcy has been under the microscope in an American bankruptcy court yesterday, with a judge tasked with deciding whether the city is in fact broke.
US Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes’ decision on whether Detroit is eligible to restructure its debts and liabilities under Chapter 9 of the US Bankruptcy Code that covers municipalities will rest on a slew of complicated issues to be addressed over a multi-day hearing.
Prominent politicians and other public officials are expected to testify. Kevyn Orr, the city’s emergency manager who has broad powers over Detroit’s finances, is expected to testify on Friday.
Detroit police chief James Craig also is expected to testify this week about the city’s poor public services.
Outside the federal courthouse yesterday, about 300 protesters rallied, most of them union members who face cuts to their pension benefits under Orr’s plan.