A judge handling a trial over liability for lead contamination in Flint's water sealed the transcript of a hearing with lawyers, a conference held this week while jurors were on a long break.
It was a moment many in Flint, Michigan, feared would never come.
More than six years after residents learned they had been exposed to lead-contaminated drinking water and a deadly disease outbreak, top leadership in the state and city at the time have been indicted on criminal charges in connection with their role in the crisis.
The sweeping criminal cases announced Thursday include Rick Snyder, the former Republican governor; Snyder’s top aide and his chief of staff; as well as both the state’s top doctor and health official during the crisis, who face the most severe charges: nine counts of involuntary manslaughter each, as well as official misconduct and neglect of duty for “grossly negligent performance.”
9 & 10 News
January 13, 2021
The crisis started in 2014 when Flint resident’s tap water became tainted by lead.
The source of the impoverished city’s water supply was switched to save money.
The charges are shown in an online court record and they are misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
No governor or former governor in Michigan’s history has been charged with crimes related to their time in office.
Charges are expected against other people, including former health department director Nick Lyon.
The Flint Water Prosecution Team will be announcing the outcome of the state’s criminal investigation into the Flint water crisis on Thursday.
| Credit: Brett Carlsen/Getty
Rick Snyder, the former governor of Michigan, appeared in criminal court Thursday, where he was arraigned on charges stemming from the Flint water crisis that killed 12 people and poisoned many others.
Snyder, 62, entered not guilty pleas Thursday to two misdemeanor counts of willful neglect of duty charges returned by a grand jury following more than two-year investigation into the water crisis. Get push notifications with news, features and more. + Follow
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Snyder s bond was set at $10,000, but it was not clear Thursday morning if he d posted that amount for his release.