The Latest: Workers charged in Flint water crisis suspended

FLINT, Mich. – The Latest on criminal charges connected to the lead-contaminated water crisis in Flint (all times local):

2 p.m.

Michigan officials say four public employees charged with crimes related to Flint’s lead-contaminated water crisis have been suspended without pay.

The Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services departments said Friday that two workers from each department are off the job for now. They are Adam Rosenthal and Patrick Cook from the DEQ and Nancy Peeler and Robert Scott from HHS.

The Associated Press couldn’t reach the employees for comment.

The two other people charged Friday had either already retired or were fired.

Attorney General Bill Schuette’s office filed the charges. He says they hid the truth about Flint’s problems.

The struggling city used the Flint River water for 18 months to save money. Residents consumed improperly treated water that released lead as it coursed through aging pipes.

Elevated levels of the toxin were discovered in children.

Three public workers previously were charged.

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12:15 p.m.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says the six state employees charged with crimes related to Flint’s lead-contaminated water crisis hid the truth from residents.

Schuette announced the charges Friday in Flint against the current or former workers from the Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services departments.

He says they “attempted to bury or cover up, downplay or hide information that contradicted their own narrative.”

The poor, majority black city of 100,000 used the Flint River for tap water for 18 months to save money. Residents used improperly treated water that coursed through aging pipes and fixtures, releasing toxic lead.

Elevated levels of the toxin were discovered in children.

Charges related to the water crisis were previously brought against three public workers.

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10:45 a.m.

Michigan’s attorney general has charged six more state employees with crimes related to the lead-contaminated water crisis in Flint.

The Flint Journal reports (http://bit.ly/2ajtAwQ ) a judge Friday authorized the charges filed by the office of Bill Schuette. He plans to formally announce the charges at a morning news conference.

All are charged with misconduct in office, wilful neglect of duty and various conspiracy counts.

The poor, majority black city of 100,000 used the Flint River for tap water for 18 months to save money. Residents used improperly treated water that coursed through aging pipes and fixtures, releasing toxic lead.

It’s the second round of Flint water-related charges that the Republican attorney general has brought. In April, two state regulators and a city employee were charged with official misconduct, evidence-tampering and other offences.