Michigan taxpayers have been billed more than 30-million dollars to prosecute and defend state employees in connection with the Flint water emergency.
On top of the taxpayer’s spending list is the governor’s office. More than 8 pt 5 million dollars has been spent to defend former Gov. Rick Snyder, possibly two Snyder-appointed emergency managers who ran Flint when the water became tainted with lead, and possibly others in the governor’s office.
Snyder was not charged with a crime, but the emergency managers faced felony charges.
Former state health director Nick Lyon, charged with involuntary manslaughter, has racked up 1 pt 8 million dollars in legal bills.
Steven Busch, former state environmental supervisor, has 1 pt 7 million in fees. Busch pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.
Other big legal fees:
former Department of Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant, 1-pt 3 million; former DEQ PR man Brad Wurfel, 1 pt 2 million;
former state water chief Lynn Shekter-Smith,1 pt 2 million.
The information was obtained by M-Live and the Flint Journal thru Freedom of Information filings.