Flint, and Michigan, Brace for More Charges in Water Inquiry

Flint, and Michigan, Brace for More Charges in Water Inquiry

As Flint continues to suffer from a water crisis, one question percolates here in Michigan’s capital: Who will be charged next? So far, nine low-level or midlevel government officials have been criminally charged as part of the state investigation into the water’s contamination, which has been tied to lead poisoning in children and the deaths of 12 people from Legionnaires’ disease. In recent weeks, however, there have been growing indications that investigators are focusing on bigger targets, and they seem to be looking more intently at the state’s failure to respond to the Legionnaires’ cases. “Twelve people died,” said Bill Schuette, Michigan’s attorney general, who is leading the investigation. “That is certainly a high priority for us.”   Some in the state hierarchy appear to be bracing for another round of arrests. Mr. Schuette, in an interview Monday in his Lansing office, declined to speak about potential suspects or additional charges. Nick Lyon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, testified before Congress about the water crisis in April. CreditStephen Crowley/The New York Times But Nick Lyon, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, was told in a letter that he is a target of the investigation, his lawyer said. Gov. Rick Snyder, who has apologized for not acting sooner to help Flint but denied committing a crime, has hired lawyers, paid for by taxpayers, and provided the attorney general with documents. Mr. Schuette said “a number” of people had received target letters. The criminal charges Mr. Schuette has already filed have focused mostly on lead contamination and accusations that front-line workers for the city and state shirked their duties and even fudged data to avoid taking action. But since opening his investigation in January, Mr. Schuette has said that he will also examine deaths in the Flint area tied to Legionnaires’ disease. His special counsel for the Flint investigation, Todd Flood, said this year that charges could be as severe as involuntary manslaughter. The water crisis was set off when a state-appointed emergency manager led efforts that resulted in the financially struggling city changing its water supply to the Flint River from Lake Huron in 2014 to save money. Emails, public records and public testimony have documented a pattern of neglect and indifference, particularly on the state level, even as evidence mounted that the water was contaminated. Emails show that Michigan officials were aware of a possible link between the water supply and Legionnaires’ at least 10 months before Mr. Snyder informed residents, and that internal deliberations about the outbreakfocused more on protocol and public relations than the health risks. State officials have defended their response, and a spokeswoman for Mr. Snyder said the governor told the public as soon as he learned of the possible link. A subpoena naming Mr. Lyon, which was provided to The New York Times and other news outlets by his lawyer, Larry Willey, lists a charge of misconduct in office and a case number, and asks for information related to Mr. Lyon’s job duties. Mr. Willey said Mr. Lyon, who denies wrongdoing, also received a target letter from Mr. Schuette’s team. Mr. Lyon has not been formally charged and remains in his post. The Flint River. In 2014, the city changed its water supply to the river from Lake Huron to save money.CreditLaura McDermott for The New York Times As the investigation advances, the situation in Flint remains grim. The tap water is still unsafe to drink without a filter, many residents are afraid to bathe or wash their hands with it, and new outbreaks of Legionnaires’ and shigellosis have worn on already-frayed nerves. Some in Flint say they believe higher-ranking officials should be charged, and soon. “People are frustrated because they’re starting at the very bottom,” said Melissa Mays, a city resident who has protested the water conditions and called for the arrest of Mr. Snyder. “We hope they’re working their way up, but it’s going very slowly.” Distrust of state government remains so pervasive in Flint that a court order blocks the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services from coordinating with county officials on the latest Legionnaires’ outbreak, a restriction that the state has appealed.