Detroit judge appoints expert witness to investigate plan feasibility

By Caroline Salls

Pittsburgh, April 22 - The judge in the City of Detroit's Chapter 9 bankruptcy case appointed an expert witness and a non-testifying consultant, according to April 22 filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Expert witness Martha E. M. Kopacz of Phoenix Management Services was appointed to investigate whether the city's plan of adjustment is feasible and whether the assumptions that underlie the city's cash flow projections and forecasts regarding its revenues, expenses and plan payments are reasonable.

After filing her report, judge Steven Rhodes said the witness must be available for a consolidated deposition by any interested parties.

The witness' report will be admitted as evidence at the plan confirmation hearing, and the witness must be available to testify in person at that hearing.

Detroit will pay the expert witness' court-approved fees and expenses.

In addition, Richard Ravitch was appointed as the court's consultant on issues of municipal finance and viability.

Ravitch agreed to serve without expense to the city.

Detroit filed bankruptcy on July 18, 2013 under Chapter 9 case number 13-53846.

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