FLINT, Mich. (AP/WOOD) — Gov. Rick Snyder is standing by two state leaders that were among the six people charged Wednesday in connection to the Flint water probe.Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon, former Flint Emergency Manager Darnell Earley, former City of Flint Water Department Manager Howard Croft, as well as Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Drinking Water Chief Liane Shekter-Smith and Water Supervisor Stephen Busch are charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the December 2015 death of 85-year-old Robert Skidmore of Mt. Morris.
The attorney general’s office says Skidmore died of Legionnaires’ disease during an outbreak officials failed to notify the public about. That outbreak happened after Flint switched from Detroit’s water to the Flint River.Schuette also charged Lyon with misconduct of office, and MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Eden Wells with lying to a peace officer and obstruction of justice.
Schuette said the charges against Wells are related to an alleged attempt to stop an investigation into the health crisis in Flint and later misleading investigators as to her actions.Shortly after the charges were announced, Snyder issued the following statement:
"Nick Lyon has been a strong leader at the Department of Health and Human Services for the past several years and remains completely committed to Flint’s recovery. Director Lyon and Dr. Eden Wells, like every other person who has been charged with a crime by Bill Schuette, are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."