Michigan Ex-Gov Rick Snyder, 8 Top Ex-Officials Charged over Flint Water Crisis democracynow.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from democracynow.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
They were arraigned Thursday morning on charges ranging from willful neglect of duty to involuntary manslaughter.
State Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud stressed the importance of holding government officials accountable.
“When an entire city is victimized by the negligence and indifference by those in power, it deserves an uncompromising investigation that holds to account anyone who is criminally culpable,” she said.
Rick Snyder’s attorney describes the two misdemeanor charges against the former governor as “without merit.” If convicted, Snyder could face a year in jail.
Others charged this week could face several years in prison if they’re convicted on the most serious charges.
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.
Ex-Governor of Michigan Charged With Neglect in Flint Water Crisis
Rick Snyder, the former governor, faces two misdemeanor counts in the crisis, which left thousands of Flint residents drinking tainted water.
Credit.Brittany Greeson for The New York Times
Jan. 13, 2021
Rick Snyder, the former governor of Michigan who oversaw the state when a water crisis devastated the city of Flint, has been charged with two counts of willful neglect of duty, according to court records.
The charges are misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a maximum fine of $1,000.
Prosecutors in Michigan will report their findings in a wide-ranging investigation into the water crisis on Thursday, officials said, a long-awaited announcement that is also expected to include charges against several other officials and top advisers to Mr. Snyder.