Obama Point Person for Detroit says City Posed Challenges

Obama Admin. official who helped Detroit post-bankruptcy says city govt. was in turmoil after conviction of ex-Mayor.

As the Obama Administration prepares to leave office it also leaves a lasting imprint on the city of Detroit.

The Administration provided a financial bailout for the city’s signature auto industry.

It also embedded Administration officials in Detroit’s government to help the city navigate its way through the nation’s largest-ever municipal bankruptcy.

The Administration’s point person in that effort was Deputy Assistant to the President Don Graves.

He tells WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter the effort began during a time that was especially challenging because if followed the conviction of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick on racketeering charges.

Author

  • Quinn Klinefelter
    Quinn Klinefelter is a Senior News Editor at 101.9 WDET. In 1996, he was literally on top of the news when he interviewed then-Senator Bob Dole about his presidential campaign and stepped on his feet.