Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and several other officials must testify in a civil trial involving engineering firms being sued over liability for lead-contaminated water connected to the Flint water crisis, a judge ruled Monday.
U.S. District Judge Judith Levy denied motions by former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and other officials to toss out subpoenas that require them them to testify.
Snyder, a Republican, faces misdemeanor charges in the Flint Water Crisis. His attorney has said, Snyder would invoke his right to remain silent if called as a witness in the ongoing civil trial in federal court in Ann Arbor.
Attorneys for four Flint children claim Veolia North America and Lockwood, Andrews & Newman were negligent in not doing more to get the city to properly treat water that was being pulled from the Flint River back in 2014-15. Corrosive water caused lead to leach from service lines serving homes, a disastrous result in the majority Black community.
A hearing will be held to determine how the court will address specific arguments during the trial where their answers could expose them to risk of self-incrimination.
There is no safe level of lead. It can harm a child’s brain development and cause attention and behavior problems.
