9/11 fund overseer could be auto 'czar': Officials

WASHINGTON: Congressional officials say the lawyer who oversaw the 9/11 victims' compensation fund has emerged as a candidate to be the "car czar" in charge of a bailout for Detroit's Big Three automakers.

Kenneth Feinberg, the special master of the federal Sept. 11 fund, is a contender to run a roughly $15 billion auto rescue and work with the Big Three to restructure their beleaguered companies.

The White House and congressional Democrats are near agreement on an auto bailout that would provide loans on Dec. 15. It would create a federal overseer who could revoke the funds early next year if the companies weren't doing enough to become viable.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because no selection has been made.