Judge Sean Cox Holds Closed Door Meeting on Detroit Water Department

DETROIT (WJBK) - The water war between the city and suburbs and the fight for control could be in the hands of one man. A new district judge is on the case.

FOX 2 caught up with Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco as he left federal court and a very private meeting on the future of our water.

"Judge didn't want us to talk about it," he said. "I think Judge Cox is a wonderful person and great judge, and he's going to work this out for us."

"I think the judge is trying to get a handle on what's going on," said Charlie Langton.

FOX 2's legal analyst is keeping an eye on the latest stage for the struggle for control of Detroit Water and Sewerage, which services four million Michiganders. A federal judge has overseen the department since a 1977 lawsuit that found Detroit in violation of the Clean Water Act.

Judge Feikens recently retired just prior to the indictments against Kwame Kilpatrick and company alleging rampant corruption involving the awarding of contracts from water and sewerage. Now, Judge Sean Cox, brother of former Attorney General Mike Cox, has the case.

"Bottom line here, the federal judge has control. He has a ton of power, and with one stroke of the pen, he could actually take control of the City of Detroit's water department," Langton said.

Cox has already gotten rid of the oversight committee appointed by the former judge. Now, he's called together water board representatives from the tri-county area, as well as Detroit and representatives from the Attorney General's Office and the Department of Natural Resources.

"For the most part, all the old people are gone and now it's a new day. For the last day or so, the people have been locked behind closed doors," said Langton.

Meeting behind closed doors for hours and when those in attendance emerge from the judge's chambers, Judge Cox had instructed them not to talk.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing was not at this meeting, but representatives from the city were there. A representative from his office said they believe productive dialogue is helpful in their ongoing effort to restore accountability, transparency and quality customer service to Detroit Water and Sewerage. When asked if they were concerned about control being taken away from Detroit, they said not at this time.

FOX 2's Huel Perkins spoke with Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh. Click on the second video in the player above to watch their conversation.