Kevyn Orr, Detroit's state-appointed emergency manager, defended a decision to keep valuable art off the auction block, telling a judge on Friday that it would greatly harm a city museum and cause turmoil in the community, especially among powerful, wealthy patrons, the Associated Press reported on Friday. "A one-time sale is detrimental to the long-term benefit of the city," Orr said. "Selling any art would cause a maelstrom." The Detroit Institute of Arts holds many pieces that were acquired by the city. But no art will be sold in a deal that protects the museum and raises hundreds of millions of dollars from the state, foundations and philanthropists, solely for city pensioners whose benefits would be cut in bankruptcy.
