In Flint, Michigan, six more state employees are facing criminal charges in connection to the lead poisoning of Flint’s water. The six work for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. They are accused of having tried to cover up the problem of lead contamination in Flint’s water once state officials became aware of it. This is Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.
Attorney General Bill Schuette: “Some people failed to act. Others minimized harm done and arrogantly chose to ignore data. Some intentionally altered figures and covered up, and covered up significant health risks. Two companies—two companies committed fraud and were negligent and made a bad situation worse.”
Three other state and city officials also face felony charges in the case. Flint’s lead poisoning began last year when an unelected emergency manager appointed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder switched the source of the city’s drinking water to the corrosive Flint River. Today, the water in Flint is still poisoned and unsafe to drink.