On Wednesday , Michigan ’s Attorney General announced it will charge Nick Lyon , the Health and Human Services Director , withinvoluntary manslaughterfor his office in the Flint water crisis . During the crisis , caused in part by substandard water supply treatment , 100,000 residents were expose to elevated levels of lead , a grievous neurotoxin , and were at elevated risk for legionnaire ’s disease , a waterborne malady linked to 14 deaths in the city since 2014 .
Although other government official have faced felonious charges during ongoing investigations , Lyon is the highest - ranking state employee and the one with the most severe charge . Local outletMichigan Live reportsthat Attorney General Bill Schuette will burden Lyon with one count of nonvoluntary manslaughter and one count of misconduct in bureau .
In 2014 , while Lyon was still HHS Director , Flint changed its primary water beginning from Lake Huron to the Flint River to make out price . Lyon is accuse of being cognisant that the Flint River had high than acceptable lead stratum . Last April , Lyontestified that the spikesin principal detected in the Flint River in other 2015 were consistent with spike figure in late twelvemonth and immediately bear on to the HHS .
Although the EPA has see thatlead grade in the cityhave retrovert to satisfactory standards , occupier are still suspicious of drinking tap piddle . Flint is replacing lead pipe throughout the city and overhaul its water infrastructure , though the project will take at least until 2020 .
Correction 2PM 6/14/17 : A former version of this situation erroneously posit that Nick Lyon was the “ former ” HHS theater director . DoS employees reassert that Lyon is still the HHS manager and will retain in the purpose as the criminal pillow slip take .
Update 9AM 6/16/17 : Michigan Governor Rick Snyderhas confirmedboth Nick Lyon and Eden Wells , the state of matter ’s principal medical executive , who faces an blockage of justice charge , will remain in their positions as their criminal cases proceeds . attorney for both official say they plan to contest the charge .
In a statement , Snyder voices support for both official :
Nick Lyon has been a strong leader at the Department of Health and Human Services for the past several years and stay on completely attached to Flint ’s recovery . Director Lyon and Dr. Eden Wells , like every other someone who has been agitate with a offence by Bill Schuette , are presumed innocent unless and until proven shamed beyond a reasonable doubt .
Some land employee were charged over a year ago and have been suspended from work since that time . They still have not had their sidereal day in royal court . That is not justice for Flint nor for those who have been charged . Director Lyon and Dr. Wells have been and continue to be instrumental in Flint ’s recuperation . They have my full faith and confidence , and will rest on responsibility at DHHS .
Drinking waterFlint Water CrisisPollutionScienceWater
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