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Flint water investigation leads to 18 charges for 3 state, city officials

April 26th, 2016 by Dakota Software Staff Industry News

Flint water investigation leads to 18 charges for 3 state, city officials

The ongoing investigation into the serious water quality and safety issues encountered in Flint, Michigan, recently resulted in the most serious consequences reached thus far. Three officials - one from Flint and two from Michigan's state government - involved with the management of the water system and communication with state and federal environmental regulators face a total of 18 charges, according to EHS Today. With a total of 13 felonies levied in total and at least one against each involved official, the penalties are serious should they be found guilty. If convicted, each would face a minimum of four years in prison per count along with significant fines, totaling at least $5,000 and likely more for two of the three individuals charged.

What led to the charges
Bill Schuette, Attorney General for Michigan, levied the charges against two Michigan Department of Environmental Quality water district supervisors and one city laboratory and water quality supervisor. In a press conference reported on by EHS Today, Schuette said the two state employees face felony counts of misconduct in office. The District Attorney's office believes the two MDEQ officials intentionally misled federal regulators and failed to fulfill their duty to provide safe and clean drinking water in Genesee County, where Flint is located.

"So many things went so terribly wrong in Flint," Schuette said at a press conference on April 20, according to EHS Today. "I made a decision that I must investigate what went wrong. It is my job as attorney general to protect the citizens of Michigan. The citizens of Flint deserve that, the citizens of Michigan deserve that. This investigation is ongoing, it is broad, detailed and comprehensive."

Schuette went on to say these first charges are by no means the only ones to come from the investigation, which could stretch past officials located in Flint and reach into the upper echelons of Michigan's government.

More charges possible
According to The Detroit Free Press, the criminal investigation is the largest in the state's history. The attorney general declined to state whether his team would investigate or interview Gov. Rick Snyder, who has been criticized for his role in the crisis, but other answers to questions from reporters made it clear the scope and number of charges could very easily grow. The potential size of the case is a strong reminder that failing to comply with environmental regulations can lead to serious penalties and legal issues for everyone involved - even those without a direct connection to the crisis.

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