Blogs

I previously wrote about the widespread problems of lead in our drinking water.[i]  A quick update, former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, his health director and other former officials have been told that they will be criminally charged for their actions in the Flint water crisis.[ii]

I think most people assume that when something like Flint happens, no one gets in trouble and often that is the case.  Following the Flint crisis, many state and local officials lost their jobs, including the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality director.  Five people including the head of Michigan’s health department were charged with involuntary manslaughter.[iii]  The state’s chief medical officer was charged with obstruction of justice.  Most cases were settled through pleas to misdemeanors or were dismissed after a new attorney general was elected.

It is not yet clear what the charges will be, but they should be brought soon.[iv]  Convicting Snyder will not be easy, but it is somewhat comforting to know that such harmful actions are not so quickly forgotten, and the ones in charge are being held accountable.[v]

[i] https://communities.nysba.org/blogs/hubert-g-plummer-esq/2020/02/06/lead-in-our-drinking-water

[ii] https://apnews.com/article/health-michigan-rick-snyder-flint-detroit-a4578736862f47b980ae61ca72129811

[iii] https://apnews.com/article/fa6ea0b57c2f41a4b3036cddee453834

[iv] https://apnews.com/article/Flint-lead-water-crisis-gov-rick-snyder-801ba227340f0ac2e10e37a06a82f08d

[v] https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/01/12/former-michigan-governor-charges-flint-water-crisis/6644125002/

The author[s] is solely responsible for this blog submission.  It does not represent the position of the New York State Bar Association or its Committee.