The former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has been officially cleared of all charges related to the Flint water crisis. On Monday, Judge William Crawford dismissed the charge of willful neglect of duty against Snyder, bringing an end to the case against him.
The Flint water crisis began in 2014 when the city of Flint switched its water supply, resulting in lead contamination of the city’s water. For years, Flint residents were exposed to dangerously high levels of lead in their drinking water, leading to a public health emergency.
The case against Snyder was brought by the Michigan Attorney General’s office, which alleged that Snyder was responsible for the crisis. After a lengthy investigation, the judge determined that there was not enough evidence to prove that Snyder had acted with willful neglect of duty.
The dismissal of the charges against Snyder is a major victory for the former governor and his supporters. Snyder had long maintained that he was innocent of any wrongdoing in the crisis, and the judge’s ruling vindicates him.
The decision is also a major relief for the people of Flint, who have suffered through years of water contamination and health issues. While the dismissal of the charges against Snyder does not undo the damage caused by the crisis, it does bring some closure to the case.
Snyder’s legal team released a statement following the ruling, expressing their satisfaction with the outcome. “We are pleased that the court has dismissed the charge against Governor Snyder,” the statement read. “The Governor has always maintained his innocence and today’s decision confirms that.”
The ruling is also a victory for the state of Michigan, which has spent millions of dollars in legal fees defending Snyder. The state will now be able to focus its resources on helping Flint residents recover from the crisis.
The dismissal of the charges against Snyder marks the end of a long and difficult chapter in the Flint water crisis. While the crisis has caused immense suffering for the people of Flint, the ruling brings some much-needed closure. Now, the focus can shift to helping Flint residents recover and rebuilding their community.
