Ex-Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder And 8 Others Criminally Charged In Flint Water Crisis

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15 Янв 2021, 04:18

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Former Gov. Rick Snyder, seen in 2017, was one of several current and former officials charged by state prosecutors for their role in the lead contamination of drinking water in Flint.

Sean Proctor/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Charged In Flint Water Crisis

Snyder, a Republican who left office two years ago, is facing two counts of willful neglect, both misdemeanors which each carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine up to $1,000.

The attorney general’s announcement cites other charges as follows:

Jarrod Agen – Former Director of Communications and Former Chief of Staff, Executive Office of Gov. Rick Snyder

One count of perjury – a 15-year felony

Gerald Ambrose – Former City of Flint Emergency Manager

Four counts of misconduct in office – each a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine

Richard Baird – Former Transformation Manager and Senior Adviser, Executive Office of Gov. Snyder

One count of perjury – a 15-year felony
One count of official misconduct in office – a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
One count of obstruction of justice – a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
One count of extortion – a 20-year felony and/or $10,000 fine

Howard Croft – Former Director of the City of Flint Department of Public Works

Two counts of willful neglect of duty – each a one-year misdemeanor and/or $1,000 fine

Darnell Earley – Former City of Flint Emergency Manager

Three counts of misconduct in office – each a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine

Nicolas Lyon – Former Director, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Nine counts of involuntary manslaughter – each a 15-year felony and/or $7,500 fine
One count of willful neglect of duty – a one-year misdemeanor and/or $1,000 fine

Nancy Peeler – Current Early Childhood Health Section Manager, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Two counts of misconduct in office – each a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
One count of willful neglect of duty – a one-year misdemeanor and/or $1,000 fine

Eden Wells – Former Chief Medical Executive, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Nine counts of involuntary manslaughter – each a 15-year felony and/or $7,500 fine
Two counts of misconduct in office – each a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
One count of willful neglect of duty – a one-year misdemeanor and/or $1,000 fine

Prosecutors said all of the defendants turned themselves into the Genesee County, Mich., jail and were processed.

At the media briefing announcing the charges, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the investigation included pouring over «literally millions and millions of documents and several electronic devices.» She added it also involved dozens of search warrants and countless hours worked by investigators during the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

«Our work on this case begins with the understanding that the impact of the Flint water crisis cases and what happened in Flint will span generations and probably well beyond,» she said.

Worthy, a Democrat, also sought to push back on questions whether the criminal charges brought by current Michigan officials were influenced by politics.

«This case has nothing whatsoever to do with partisanship,» Worthy said. «It has to do with human decency, resurrecting the complete abandonment of the people of Flint and finally, finally holding people accountable for their alleged unspeakable atrocities that occurred in Flint all these years ago.»

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Lead-Laced Water In Flint: A Step-By-Step Look At The Makings Of A Crisis

Earlier this week, as reports began to surface that charges were looming, an attorney for Snyder, the former governor, referred to them as «a politically motivated smear campaign,» according to the Detroit Free Press.

The Free Press also reported Snyder entered a not guilty plea Thursday morning from a Genesee County jail booth as he and his lawyer appeared remotely via Zoom. The paper also notes its the first time in the state’s history that a current or former governor is facing criminal charges for alleged misconduct while in office.

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In this image taken from video, former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, left, with his lawyer, Brian Lennon, leave Genesee County Court in Flint, Mich., after a initial court appearance via Zoom on two misdemeanor counts of willful neglect of duty in connection to the Flint water crisis.

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Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud said Thursday that even though charges have been filed, the investigation into the crisis remains open, Michigan Public Radio reports.

Speaking at the media briefing, Hammoud characterized the crisis as a «categorical failure of public officials» at all levels.

«When an entire city is victimized by the negligence and indifference of those in power, it deserves an uncompromising investigation that holds to account anyone who is criminally culpable,» Hammoud said.

Snyder and Croft, the former director of the Flint Department of Public Works, are scheduled to be back in court Jan. 19.

The next court appearance for the other defendants is Feb. 18, according to Michigan Attorney General’s office.