Kenneth Feinberg, the attorney who appears set to become the "car czar" for the federal government's auto bailout package, is seen as a widely acceptable candidate to span two administrations.
But the seasoned Washington, D.C., lawyer is not without his controversies.
Feinberg was the man who managed the victims' families' fund after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. And though he worked pro bono in that role, and has dedicated years helping the families, he was harshly criticized during the days of the Sept. 11 restitution for paying money to help some disaster-stricken families and not others, and for trying to place a monetary value on human life.
At the time, the distressed families of victims decried Feinberg's decisions and proposals as "salt on an open wound," "ridiculous and insulting" and a "slap in the face," according to published reports.
Democratic Senate sources told FOX News that Feinberg has been named to oversee the government plan to help General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler spend a multi-billion bailout. The White House received Congress' plan for those emergency loans on Monday and is reviewing whether the deal could get done as early as next week.
Feinberg would write guidelines — due on the first of the year — for a restructuring of the Big Three, and would be responsible for recalling the cash if he thinks the companies are not spending the money wisely by Feb. 15.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox