Five Michigan officials were charged with involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday, in relation to the city’s water contamination crisis which has been linked to cases of Legionnaires’ disease and lead poisoning in children. The charges are related to a decision by Flint Mayor Karen Weaver not to switch back from using Detroit’s river water, after tests showed it contained high levels of lead. 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 crisis which has been linked to cases of Legionnaires’ disease and lead poisoning in children. 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.