MI filed the first criminal charges Wednesday in the scandal over lead contamination of Flint’s water supply, accusing a city official and two state regulators of falsifying tests and tampering with evidence.
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Defense attorney Mark Kriger, left, goes over charges with his client, state Department of Environmental Quality employee Stephen Busch, before an arraignment Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Flint, Mich. Two state employees facing charges related to the Flint water crisis are accused of refusing to order chemical treatment that could have prevented the release of lead in old plumbing.
State environmental health officials Stephen Busch and Michael Prysby were charged with “misconduct, evidence tampering, conspiracy and violations of the Safe Water Drinking Act” for allegedly changing water test results.
Flint employee Michael Glasgow is also charged with evidence tampering and willful neglect of office.
The maximum sentences for each of the felonies, which are summarized below, range from 4-5 years in prison, with fines for each in a range between $5,000-$10,000.
Michigan’s attorney general filed criminal charges against three people involved in testing in Flint’s water for lead on Wednesday, months after contaminated water fueled widespread anger among residents and a national outcry.
Reacting to Schuette’s announcement, Gov. Rick Snyder repeated his charge Wednesday that “a handful of bureaucrats” who didn’t use “common sense” bore most of the blame for the crisis. “Lee continues to block a vote on our fully paid for, bipartisan agreement to help Flint and other communities across the nation who have serious lead and water problems”, she said.
Snyder, a Republican, said Wednesday afternoon that he has not been questioned or interviewed as part of Schuette’s investigation, though he said his office has been cooperating with the inquiry. “Together, through our continuing commitment to doing the right thing, we can restore people’s trust in their government”.
9&10’s Cody Boyer and photojournalist Jacob Johnson were at today’s press conference where Schuette announced the charges. After General Motors opted out of the Flint system, claiming the water was corroding its manufacturing equipment; after residents complained of discoloration; after testing suggested even more dire consequences of the switch – the DEQ, with Busch, Prysby and others as key players, downplayed the complaints. The result of this action exposed Flintresidents to toxic lead-poisoning, Legionnaire’s disease and E. Coli.
“Each and every person who breaks the law, will be held accountable”.
“You don’t need to monitor phosphate because you’re not required to add it”, Michigan Department Prysby told Glasgow, at meeting prior to Flint making the switch from Detroit water to Flint River water. The final report also blamed state-appointed emergency managers who were put in charge of running the city by the governor due to the financial troubles it faced. “I don’t believe so”.
October 15: The Michigan Legislature and Snyder approve almost $9.4 million in aid to Flint, including $6 million to help switch its drinking water back to Detroit. A week later, the Michigan National Guard begins helping distribute bottled water and filters, while Snyder asks the federal government for help.
Mona Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician at Hurley Hospital in Flint, and Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards were named to TIME magazine’s list of 100 most influential people for their work in bringing attention to the drinking water crisis in Flint.
Flint resident and mother of two, Jeneyah McDonald, said she learned of the charges that day when she stepped out of the class she was substitute teaching. “They look at me and they wonder if there is any truth to this investigation”.
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In 1991, the EPA established the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) to protect residents against the leaching of lead from corroded water distribution pipes into the water supply. Later in the month, city officials say water quality has improved and meets all state and federal standards for safety.
