Five Michigan officials were charged with involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday , in relation to the city ’s water contamination , which has been linked to cases of Legionnaires ’ disease and lead poisoning in Michigan . “This case appears to be a misguided theory looking for facts that do not exist.” Officials were accused of failing to add anti - corrosion chemicals when they altered the city ’s water supply in 2014 . Nick Lyon , director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services , was also charged with misconduct in office and could face up to 20 years in prison . At present , 15 current and former state and local officials are facing criminal charges as part of the investigation into the scandal .
Five Michigan officials were charged with involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday , in relation to the city ’s water contamination , which has been linked to cases of Legionnaires ’ disease and lead poisoning in Michigan . Officials were accused of failing to add anti - corrosion chemicals when they altered the city ’s water supply in 2014 . Nick Lyon , director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services , was also charged with misconduct in office and could face up to 20 years in prison . At present , 15 current and former state and local officials are facing criminal charges as part of the investigation into the scandal .