Politics

Ex-Attorney General Mike Cox: Flint Water Probe Is Not Political

December 10, 2017, 9:16 AM


Mike Cox (Law firm photo)

Is former state Attorney General Mike Cox naive or telling it like it is?

Detroit Free Press guest column by Cox says Attorney General Bill Schuette's probe into Flint's water crisis is not political:

Late last month, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley opened his campaign for governor by attacking Attorney General Bill Schuette’s investigation of the Flint water crisis. But, in accusing Schuette, who is also running for governor, of a “highly politicized" investigation, it seems Calley sought only to protect his own political fortunes, while demonstrating abject indifference to the plight of the people of Flint or respect for the judicial process.

As a 13-year assistant prosecutor in Detroit who had the privilege of working in the Attorney General’s office for another eight years, let me dispel two of the myths perpetrated by Calley and others who have attacked this investigation. 

This myth ignores one important fact: Neither Schuette nor anyone else investigating the Flint water crisis polluted the drinking water of the people of Flint. Because this man-made problem was too big and costly for any local prosecutor’s office, let alone the limited financial resources of the Genesee County prosecutor’s office, the attorney general’s office was duty-bound to investigate here.

Precisely to avoid charges of playing politics, Schuette put together a team of professionals that includes the well-respected local Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, the former chief judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals Willam Whitbeck, former Detroit FBI chief Andy Arena, and well-known criminal defense attorney Todd Flood to advise him on all charging decisions. Contrary to Calley’s allegations, it is hard to imagine a more professional or less political team making the decisions in this very sensitive case.  

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Attorney General Bill Schuette 

One of the individuals charged is Nick Lyon, the director of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Former Attorney General Frank Kelley, who gave Lyon his first job in state government, and former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Chief Maura Corrigan, who preceded Lyon as director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, have both defended Lyon, saying he should not have been charged, in part because he is a good person. Their comments show they are loyal and good friends. 


Read more:  Detroit Free Press


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