Defense lawyers for Mr. Lyon called the claims baseless and said they were confident in their client’s case. One challenge for prosecutors may be proving a direct link between Flint’s corroding water pipes and Legionnaires’ disease, legal experts said. Some scientists have suggested that the corrosion may have allowed Legionella bacteria to thrive in the water supply during warm summer months. “The true facts simply do not support the prosecution’s claims,” the defense lawyers, Chip Chamberlain and Larry Willey, said in a statement. “This case appears to be a misguided theory looking for facts that do not exist.” Governor Snyder, too, issued a statement of support for Mr. Lyon and Dr. Wells, and appeared to criticize the legal process, noting that other state employees had been charged more than a year ago but had yet to be tried in court. “That is not justice for Flint, nor for those who have been charged,” Mr. Snyder said. “Director Lyon and Dr. Wells have been and continue to be instrumental in Flint’s recovery. They have my full faith and confidence, and will remain on duty at D.H.H.S.” Mr. Schuette, a Republican, is widely seen as a possible candidate for governor in 2018. He declined to say whether the investigation might lead to charges against Mr. Snyder, though he emphasized that it was continuing and that the investigative report issued on Wednesday was an “interim” look at the Flint case. He said investigators had tried unsuccessfully to interview Mr. Snyder, who is barred by term limits from running for re-election, but he would not elaborate. “We only file criminal charges when evidence of probable cause to commit a crime has been established, and we are not filing charges at this time,” Mr. Schuette said. Mr. Snyder’s lawyer said that the governor has always been willing to be interviewed — but under oath, like other witnesses, to avoid any appearance of special treatment.
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 .