The Michigan attorney general on Friday announced that six state employees have been charged in connection to the Flint water crisis.
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In the third legal action of the investigation, today a total of 18 criminal charges (12 felonies and 6 misdemeanors) were filed in Genesee County’s 67th District Court in Flint against six individuals, three from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and three from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Each attempted to bury or cover up, downplay or hide info that contradicted their own narrative, their story…
Schuette said the investigation, which is expected to cost at least $4.9 million, continues.
The corrosive water caused lead to leach from pipes, joints and fixtures.
Peeler and Scott’s charges center around a report epidemiologist Cristin Larder prepared last fall showing elevated blood lead testing in Flint residents last July, August and September, according Jeff Seipenko, an investigator in Schuette’s office. Schuette also claims he mislead the EPA regarding the necessity of using corrosion control in Flint after the switch when he allegedly forwarded information he knew to be false to the EPA.
Flint, which lies about 90 kilometers (55 miles) north of Detroit, has a population of about 100,000, changed its water supply back 18 months later.
Peeler, 54, of Midland was charged with felony misconduct in office and conspiracy, along with misdemeanor willful neglect of duty by a public officer.
“Some people failed to act, others minimized harm done and arrogantly chose to ignore data, some intentionally altered figures… and covered up significant health risks”, Schuette said.
“I’ll be more impressed when we start seeing some folks higher on the food chain being held accountable”, said Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint.
In April Schuette filed charges against two Michigan Department of Environmental Quality employees, Michael Prysby and Stephen Busch.
The workers (including one former employee) are charged with misconduct for a variety of reasons, including allegedly misinterpreting federal regulations, manipulating reports, and conspiring to misconduct.
“Their offenses vary, but there is an overall theme and repeated pattern”, said Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.
Mr Schuette said that he believed those accused “viewed the people in Flint as expendable, as if they didn’t matter”.
Registered Nurse Brian Jones draws a blood sample from Grayling Stefek, 5, at the Eisenhower Elementary School, on January 26, 2016 in Flint, Mich. The students were being tested for lead after the metal was found in the city’s drinking water.
“Any questions regarding the status of the investigation by the Attorney General’s Office should be directed to the Attorney General’s Office”, Adler said in an email to The Detroit News.
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In June, Schuette and the investigative team announced that civil suits and criminal charges would be brought against those contributing to the water crisis.
