Ex-Mich. governor pleads not guilty in Flint water crisis
DETROIT — Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder appeared in a Flint court Thursday morning and pleaded not guilty to two charges of willful neglect of duty as state prosecutors revealed indictments against nine defendants as a result of the Flint water crisis.
Despite the lower-level charges compared with other defendants, the case against Snyder marked a significant moment in the state’s political history. Snyder is the first Michigan governor or former governor to be charged with a crime for alleged conduct while in office.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel praised the high-profile prosecutions led by her office’s Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud as well as Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. Nessel had said earlier that she had walled herself off from the criminal cases, turning her focus instead to ongoing civil cases related to the contamination of Flint’s drinking water beginning more than six years ago.
“Solicitor General Hammoud and Prosecutor Worthy’s track records demonstrate their commitment to public service as experienced prosecutors, which is why I appointed them to lead the criminal investigation in the Flint water crisis,” Nessel said in a statement Thursday around noontime. “I trust today’s announcement reflects their professional responsibilities and ethical obligations as the prosecuting authorities in this matter, and that their decisions are based solely on the facts, the law and the evidence.”
The totality of the Flint water catastrophe may never be known, but the failures of public officials who “evaded accountability for far too long” continue to reverberate throughout the community, Hammoud said.
“When an entire city is victimized by the negligence and indifference of those in power, it deserves an uncompromising investigation that holds to account anyone who is criminally culpable. That is what all citizens in this state are entitled to regards of their zip code,” Hammoud said at a press conference Thursday.
“Let me be clear, there are no velvet ropes in our criminal justice system. Nobody, no matter how powerful or well connected is above accountability when they commit a crime,” she said.
In a remote court appearance Thursday morning, Snyder, 62, wore a navy blazer, a light blue collared shirt without a necktie and a gray face mask. He was seated next to his attorney, Brian Lennon, in a Genesee County jail booth as they appeared for the hearing via Zoom.
Snyder spoke sparingly during the hearing. His only words were, “Yes, your honor,” in response to Odette’s question if he lives in the state. Snyder did not say which city or town.