Flint Pediatrician Says Charges Against Ex-Governor Help 'Wounds Finally Close'
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who was among the first to raise a red flag over the contamination of Flint's water, says the filing of charges "helps the city and the people move on and recover."
The Flint water crisis resulted in charges Wednesday against former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, who is now facing two counts of willful neglect of duty.
The misdemeanor charges carry a punishment of up to $1,000 and up to one year imprisonment. They come almost seven years after the city of Flint began taking in water from the Flint River in an attempt to save money. The water wasn't properly treated and it corroded the city's aging pipes, causing lead to leach into the drinking water. More than 100,000 Flint residents were exposed to unsafe levels of lead.
During an arraignment on Thursday, Snyder pleaded not guilty to the charges. Several additional officials are also facing charges for their alleged roles in the crisis, including
