Authorities in the state of Michigan are expected to charge former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, his former health director and several other state officials for their handling of the Flint, Michigan water crisis. Two people with knowledge of the developing situation told the Associated Press the state attorney general's office has informed the defendant's attorneys. The two sources also say those involved can expect to appear in court in the coming weeks. Initial reports do not yet identify what crimes Snyder and his former colleagues will be charged with. A spokeswoman for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said investigators are “working diligently” and that she “will share more as soon as we’re in a position to do so.”
Snyder left office two years ago, but his name will always be tied with the Flint, Michigan Water Crisis. In 2014, Snyder switched the city's water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River while a pipeline was being built to the lake. Unfortunately, the water was not treated for corrosion and lead leaked into a water supply distributed to nearly 100,000 people. Unable to access clean water through their own homes, many residents were forced to travel to obtain bottled water. Adding on, bacteria from the water is believed to have caused an outbreak of Legionnaires that lead to 90 cases and 12 deaths. In response, a number of lawmakers and celebrities have spoken out against Snyder and his former colleagues.
"No American should go without access to clean water to drink or bathe in," Michigan native Magic Johnson tweeted.
"This is racial killing," Sean "Diddy" Combs wrote.
"Flint, Michigan is 60% black. When you knowingly poison a Black city, you are committing a version of genocide."
As the crisis unfolded, residents began to criticize Snyder and his colleagues for their handling of the city's water supply. In 2016, former health department director Nick Lyon and Rick Snyder shared what they knew about the outbreak with the public. However, further investigation found that Lyon knew about the matter months earlier. In 2019, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel opened a new investigation that led to today's developments.
More information will be reported as it becomes available.
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