TOXIC

Michigan Health Director Faces Felony Charge for Flint Water Crisis

Director Nick Lyon charged with involuntary manslaughter, misconduct in office.

Michigan Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon is charged with involuntary manslaughter and misconduct in office for his part in the city of Flint’s water crisis. Chief Medical Executive Eden Wells also faces charges of obstruction of justice and lying to a police officer. Both high-ranking health officials were charged in connection with the water-linked outbreak of Legionnaires disease that killed 12 Flint area residents and sickened dozens more in a 17-month period. Lyon is accused of causing a man’s death by failing to alert the public about the dangerous outbreak. Thirteen other current or former state or Flint city officials have been charged in relation to the lead contamination of the city’s water.