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Ex-Michigan governor takes the 5th at Flint water trial

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Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder

Snyder was called as a witness Thursday in federal court, two days after the Michigan Supreme Court in a separate case said criminal indictments against him and others were invalid.

Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has invoked his right against self-incrimination during a civil trial related to the Flint water scandal.

Snyder was called as a witness Thursday in federal court, two days after the Michigan Supreme Court in a separate case said criminal indictments against him and others were invalid. Snyder’s appearance was already planned.

The judge knew he would formally decline to answer questions while a criminal case was pending. A handful of Flint families are suing two engineering firms, claiming they bear some responsibility for lead-contaminated water.

Flint managers appointed by Snyder, a Republican, switched the city’s water to the Flint River in 2014 without properly treating it. Lead leached from old pipes for more than a year.

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