An investigation into the Flint contaminated water crisis – which prosecutors say has endangered lives of thousands of people – have led to filing of criminal charges against three officials as initial action.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced Wednesday that he filed a total of 13 felony charges and five misdemeanor charges against two state officials and one city official as a result of their actions in the Flint water contamination crisis currently gripping the city, with nationwide focus.
The three individuals include Stephen Busch, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality District 8 Water Supervisor , Michael Prysby, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality District 8 Water Engineer and Michael Glasgow, City of Flint Laboratory and Water Quality Supervisor.
According to State Attorney General Bill Schuette, the charges “are only the beginning” of a lengthy and exhaustive probe. “No one is above the law, not on my watch,” he said.
The maximum sentences for each of the felonies, which are summarized below, range from 4-5 years in prison, with fines for each in a range between $5,000-$10,000.
According to Schuette’s office, the charges are the first announced as a result of Schuette’s investigation into the crisis.
Schuette noted the investigation remains fully active and that the charges filed today do not preclude additional charges at a later date. “No one is above the law, not on my watch,” he said.
The Flint crisis began in 2014, when officials decided to supply water to the city Flint River in place of Lake Huron. The citizens complained about the quality of water, which was found to have elevated levels of lead.
“We allege and we will prove that Mr. Busch and Mr. Prsyby altered test results which endangered the health of citizens and families of Flint,” Schuette said.
Meanwhile, according to NPR, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who is facing criticism and questions over his response, has declared that he would drink Flint’s water for the next 30 days, claiming the water is safe to drink.
