ABC27 WHTM Harvard law graduate poised to take over Harrisburg's financial woes

Harvard law graduate poised to take over Harrisburg's financial woes

The state has filed a petition in Commonwealth Court that would appoint David Unkovic as receiver of financially-strapped Harrisburg. A judge still has to sign off, but Unkovic is ready to get to work.

"We will get to the point where we can help the city pay down the debt of the incinerator and  work through its finances and where the city [can] get into good financial shape," he said.

Once approved, Unkovic will have to submit a recovery plan to Commonwealth Court within 30 days. The court then has to review the plan and approve or reject it.

"I do intend immediately to start having discussions with stakeholders and interested parties to hear what people's suggestions are and work to best solutions," Unkovic said.

Unkovic is a Harvard Law graduate with more than three decades of public finance experience. He spent 25 years with the law firm of Saul Ewing, who currently represents Harrisburg's largest creditor, AGM - but Unkovic said that is not a conflict of interest.

"Tthey started representing them after I left there, and I have not had contact with the people who work there," he said. "I will do what's in the best interest of the city and state in this situation."

As reciever, Unkovic can submit a plan without input from the city's elected officials. But he said he welcomes their participation.

"I want to go through that process with the mayor and all the City Council," he said. "I think that they all know this will result in a plan."