Two empty chairs at the U.S. Supreme Court could be full of significance as the remaining justices consider whether Puerto Rico can ease its fiscal crisis with a law that would let the islands public utilities restructure more than $20 billion in debt.
The U.S. territory will make its case Tuesday to what probably will be a seven-member court, a rarity caused by the unexpected death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February and a financial conflict that may force Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself.
The case, part of a multi-fronted battle over Puerto Ricos financial future, directly affects more than $20 billion owed by the commonwealths utilities, including $9 billion owed by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, known as Prepa. A d…
Read the full article at: http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-03-21/scalia-alito-court-absences-shape-puerto-rico-debt-relief-bid