Detroit’s largest labor union is urging the city’s bankruptcy judge to allow its attorneys to question Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and other top state officials under oath about decisions that led to the city’s chapter 9 filing, The Detroit News reported yesterday. Late Friday, the Attorney General’s Office asked U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes to protect Snyder and other state officials from having to testify under oath in depositions sought by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25 and the United Auto Workers. On Sunday, AFSCME’s attorney objected to the state’s motion to quash the subpoenas, arguing that the depositions are necessary to establish a timeline of events that precipitated the governor’s March appointment of Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr and early discussions about whether to pursue bankruptcy. The union is looking for records and facts that could bolster its claim that the city negotiated in bad faith and is not eligible for bankruptcy protection. In a Friday court filing, Assistant Attorney General Steven Flancher argued that the subpoenas created “an unnecessary and undue burden.” The state has asked Judge Rhodes for an expedited decision on whether to allow the subpoenas.
