Charges Filed Against Six More State Employees in Flint Water Scandal

FLINT, Mich. (TheBlaze/AP) -- Michigan attorney general charges six more state employees in lead-contaminated water crisis in Flint.

The Flint Water Plant tower is shown January 13, 2016 in Flint, Michigan. On Tuesday, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder activated the National Guard to help the American Red Cross distribute water to Flint residents to help them deal with the lead contamination that is in the City of Flint's water supply. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

The Detroit News reported that three employees at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, identified as Nancy Peeler, Robert Scott and Corrine Miller, were charged with misconduct in office, conspiring to commit misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty.

Three more individuals, Shekter Smith, the former head of the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality regulators Patrick Cook and Adam Rosenthal, were also charged.

Specifically, Rosenthal was charged with misconduct in office, conspiracy to tamper with evidence and or engage in misconduct, tampering with evidence and willful neglect of duty. Cook was charged with misconduct in office, conspiracy to engage in misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty. Smith, who was fired from her job in February after being suspended in October, faces charges of misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty.

The charges were filed Friday by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, according to the Detroit News.

The latest offenses come after three other state employees were charged earlier this year. As TheBlaze previously reported on April 20:

Michael Prysby, a district engineer for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and Stephen Busch, who is a supervisor with the DEQ’s Office of Drinking Water, are both charged with misconduct in office, conspiracy to tamper with evidence, tampering with evidence and violations of water treatment and monitoring laws.

Flint utilities administrator Michael Glasgow is charged with tampering with evidence for changing lead water-testing results and willful neglect of duty as a public servant.

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