Politics

Rick Snyder arraigned on 2 Flint water crisis charges; 8 others also accused

January 14, 2021, 1:00 PM

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Gov. Rick Snyder talks to the media. (Deadline Detroit file photo)

Ex-Gov. Rick Snyder and eight others, including two past emergency managers of Flint, face criminal charges in that city's water crisis following a 12-month grand jury probe.

Former state health directror Nick Lyon is accused of nine counts of involuntary manslaughter. Another defendant still works as a health department manager.

A total of 42 criminal counts stem from "a series of alleged actions and inactions that created the historic injustice of the Flint Water Crisis," Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday.

Snyder faces two counts of willful neglect of duty, each with a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and/or a year in prison -- though he's unlikely to serve time if convicted. He pleaded not guity at a Thursday morning arraignment and is due back in court next Tuesday for a hearing.

Special prosecutor Fadwa Hammoud tsays Snyder is accused of:

  • Failing to inquire into the performance and administration of public appointees he was required to surpervise

  • Failing to declare a state of emergency and/or disaster when he had notice

"There are no velvet ropes in our criminal justice system," Hammoud is quoted by AP as saying. "Nobody, no matter how powerful or well-connected, is above accountability when they commit a crime."

The ex-governor's lawyer, Brian P. Lennon of Grand Rapids, says: "It would be a travesty to waste additional taxpayer dollars pursuing these bogus misdemeanor charges. We are confident Gov. Snyder will be fully exonerated if this flimsy case goes to trial." (Via a tweet by AP reporter David Eggert.)

These eight defedants also face state criminal charges: 

♦ Jarrod Agen, Synder's former communications director and chief of staff, Executive Office of Gov. Rick Snyder: One perjury, count, a 15-year felony. The charge is based on statements he made during an investigative subpoena interview in February 2017 by aides to former Attorney General Bill Schuette, according to the special prosecutor. 

♦ Gerald Ambrose, former Flint emergency manager: Four official misconduct counts, each a five-year felony with a maximum $10,000 fine

♦ Richard Baird, Snyder's transformation manager and senior adviser:

  • 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 Flint Department of Public Works director: Two counts of willful neglect of duty, one-year misdemeanors with a maximum $1,000 fine

♦ Darnell Earley, former Flint emergency manager: Three official misconduct counts, each a five-year felony with a top fine of $10,000 

Nicolas Lyon, former state director 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 at the state 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 at the state health department 

  • 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 

Special prosecutror Hammoud, asked Thursday afternoon why no charges are lodged against Genesee County health department officials or federal Environmental Protection Agency officials, replied: "We conducted a full and thorough investigation and followed the evidence." (Via tweet by Lansing reporter David Eggert of Associated Press.)

Original article, Wednesday night

Ex-Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is charged with two counts of willful neglect of duty stemming from an investigation of the Flint water crisis, the Associated Press reports. 

The misdemeanor counts are punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. State Attorney General Dana Nessel has scheduled a Thursday press conference.

It's the first time a current or former Michigan governor has been charged for crimes related to the office, AP reports. Snyder’s lawyer, Brian Lennon, told the wire service he could not immediately comment. 

The fact that Snyder faces misdemeanor charges, not felonies, means he's got a far better shot of staying out of prison if convicted. 

Charges are also expected against other Snyder administration officials, including his state health director and a senior adviser.

Flint changed water sources, resulting in illnesses, including deaths from Legionnaires’ disease.

Snyder, 62, who served as governor from 2011 to January 2019, had a promising political career that came to a screeching halt after the scandal surfaced. Up until then, he had mentioned a vice presidential candidate, and he even flirted with running for president.


Read more:  Deadine Detroit


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