Michigan Supreme Court Rejects Flint Water Scandal Charges
In a significant legal development, the Michigan Supreme Court has decisively rejected the efforts to resurrect criminal charges against seven individuals involved in the Flint water scandal. Prosecutors had been attempting to circumvent a 2022 court ruling that had rendered the charges invalid.
The Unusual Legal Maneuver
To revive the case, the attorney general’s office had employed an uncommon approach: a one-judge grand jury to examine evidence and bring charges against nine individuals, including former Governor Rick Snyder. However, the Supreme Court had declared this process unconstitutional last year, leading to the dismissal of the charges.
Prosecutors Persist
Despite this setback, state prosecutors persisted, arguing that the charges could be easily reinstated through a simple re-filing of documents. However, their position was consistently rejected, ultimately reaching the state’s highest court.
The Supreme Court’s Verdict
In a series of succinct one-sentence orders, the Supreme Court firmly stated, “We are not persuaded that the question presented should be reviewed by this court.”
Immediate Reactions
Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office did not respond immediately to requests for comment on the court’s decision.
Dismissed Charges
The court’s orders pertained to cases against former state health director Nick Lyon, former state medical executive Eden Wells, and five other individuals. Former Governor Rick Snyder, who faced a misdemeanor charge of willful neglect of duty, also had his indictment dismissed. However, the Supreme Court did not address the prosecutors’ appeal in his case due to a different timetable.
The Flint Water Crisis
The Flint water crisis stemmed from decisions made in 2014 when managers appointed by Governor Snyder switched Flint’s water source to the Flint River. Unfortunately, the water was not treated adequately to mitigate its corrosive effects on the city’s aging pipes, leading to lead contamination in the water supply for 18 months.
Charges and Accusations
Nick Lyon and Eden Wells faced charges of involuntary manslaughter, as some experts linked a fatal Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in 2014-15 to the water switch. They were accused of failing to promptly warn the public.
Indictments Dismissed
The court also dismissed indictments against individuals such as Jarrod Agen (Snyder’s former chief of staff), Rich Baird (a key aide), former Flint managers Gerald Ambrose and Darnell Earley, former city Public Works Director Howard Croft, and former health official Nancy Peeler.
Legal Constraints
Prosecutors may attempt to restart the legal process from scratch, but Michigan’s six-year statute of limitations could potentially bar them from filing charges against certain individuals.
A Long Legal Journey
Since 2016, Michigan’s attorney general’s office, under both Republican and Democratic leadership, has pursued criminal accountability for the Flint water disaster. However, no felony convictions or jail sentences have been secured. Seven individuals previously pleaded no contest to misdemeanors, which were later expunged from their records.
Rooted in Systemic Issues
In 2017, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission asserted that the water switch resulted from systemic racism, casting doubt on whether such neglect would have occurred in a wealthier, predominantly white community. Nearly 57% of Flint’s residents are Black.
Compensation for Victims
Separately, the state reached a $626 million settlement with residents and property owners affected by the lead-tainted water, with $600 million allocated to compensate those harmed, particularly children.