LANSING, Michigan (AP) – Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder was charged on Wednesday with two counts of intentional failure of service following an investigation into the Flint water crisis, which left residents with lead-contaminated water and blamed for a fatal outbreak. of the disease of legions.
The charges, which are shown in an online court record, are offenses punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of $ 1,000.
The indictment filed by the Attorney General’s Office is groundbreaking: according to the state archivist, no governor or former governor in the 184-year history of Michigan has been charged with crimes related to their time in that office. Snyder’s attorney, Brian Lennon, said he could not immediately comment. State Attorney General Dana Nessel and investigators planned a news conference on Thursday.
In addition to Snyder, a Republican who served until 2019, charges are expected against other people, including former officials who served as state health director and as senior adviser.
Flint was in chronic financial trouble in 2014 when a manager hired by Snyder, who manages the majority of the black city, made a money-saving decision to use the Flint River for water. while a local pipeline from Lake Huron was under construction. However, the corrosive water was not treated properly and leads lead from old plumbing in homes in one of the worst man-made environmental disasters in American history.
Despite desperate pleas from residents holding jug of discolored, skunk water, Snyder’s government took no significant action before a doctor reported increased lead levels in children about 18 months later.
“I’m sorry and I’ll fix it,” Snyder promised during his 2016 state of the nation address.
Authorities have counted at least 90 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Genesee County, including 12 deaths. Some experts have found that there is not enough chlorine in the water treatment system to control legionella bacteria, which can cause a serious form of pneumonia when it spreads through mist and cooling systems.
The disaster Flint has become a national symbol of government failure, with residents forced to stand up for bottled water and parents fearing their children have suffered permanent harm. Lead can damage the brain and nervous system and cause learning and behavioral problems. The crisis was highlighted as an example of environmental injustice and racism.
More than 9,700 home service lines have been replaced. Flint’s water, which now comes from a local agency in Detroit, scores well, although many distrustful residents still use filters.
The criminal investigation lasted five years under two prosecuting teams. Todd Flood, who convicted seven people of the offense, was expelled in 2019 after the election of Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat. Fadwa Hammoud subsequently dismissed complaints in eight cases pending and said the investigation would start all over again. She said the first team did not gather all available evidence.
Separately, the state, Flint, a hospital and an engineering firm agreed on a $ 641 million settlement with residents over the water crisis, with $ 600 million from Michigan. A judge said she hopes to decide by January 21 whether to grant her preliminary approval. Other lawsuits, including one against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are pending.