Richard Baird Was Summoned By Jordan Chariton For A Leaky Flint Water Transcript Legal Psyoptic

A very interesting leak, I see!

Now, whoever would do such a thing?

I know Jordan Chariton was just talking about this very same thing not so long ago.

Jordan was talking alot about Richard Baird.

Jordan was also talking about how VICE would not pick up his work.

Jordan never shared his information with the Michigan State Police or the FBI, or with anyone else, for that matter, because, I guess, he wants the scoop, where I believe Richard Baird may become the sacrificial lamb to cover up all the stealin' the children, land & vote up there in Genessee County Land Bank territory, but, hey, what do I know.

I know this is about to get juicy, because Kym Worthy, as word delivered to me, is not in a happy place right about now.

I wonder how Fadwa Hammoud is doing?

Todd Flood was working with Andy Arena.

Where is Andy?

Who else had their hands on these transcripts?

Who was the transcription service?

Just asking.

Perhaps, someone should ask Jordan.

Someone should ask Kym and Fadwa how come they are not focusing on all that stuff about all the contracts and land bank stuff.....oh, drats, I forgot, if they did that, they would implicate themselves in what was going on in Wayne County and all those properties that just so happened to end up in the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

My bad.

Release of 'confidential' transcripts concerns Flint water investigators

Lansing — Prosecutors involved in Flint's water investigation believe someone illegally provided confidential interview transcripts featuring aides to former Gov. Rick Snyder to a media outlet.

VICE News cited transcripts of interviews with multiple former officials, including Richard Baird, in a wide-ranging April 16 expose on the Snyder administration handling of lead-tainted water in Flint. Then, on Thursday, the Detroit Metro Times published another story by the reporters of the VICE piece with the full transcripts of the Baird interviews.

A new prosecution team appointed by Attorney General Dana Nessel continues to investigate the water crisis. Courtney Covington, a spokeswoman for the Attorney General's Office, said the prosecution team has "grave concerns about the unauthorized disclosure of investigative subpoena transcripts."

"Investigative subpoenas are, by statute, confidential, and their release without a court order is a violation of the law," Covington said. "Such conduct obstructs the investigation that the people of Flint are entitled to and threatens to jeopardize our pursuit of justice."

However, she wouldn't comment on whether prosecutors were investigating the leak.

The transcripts detail interviews between Todd Flood, who previously led the Flint water prosecution team under former Attorney General Bill Schuette, and Baird from February and March 2017.


Baird was previously Snyder's transformation manager. Snyder and Schuette left office at the end of 2018.

The interview transcripts featuring Baird are marked "highly confidential." And in one of the documents, Flood specifically tells Baird, "This is confidential. It's that simple. So I keep it confidential."

The transcript  "doesn't go anywhere" and is "sealed into an evidence room upstairs," Flood adds at another point.

Citing VICE's reporting, Metro Times alleged "prosecutors were investigating alleged attempts by Baird to pay off sick, publicly outspoken Flint residents with offers that included state-funded medical treatment, expanded Medicaid and home infrastructure replacements for pipes and water heaters damaged by Flint River water."

Randall L. Levine, Baird's attorney, said in a statement to The Detroit News on Monday that claims in the articles about Baird "are false based upon presumption and wrongly place him in a false light."

Baird had been informed that he was not a target of the government’s investigation, Levine said. And Baird voluntarily appeared for the interviews and did not claim privilege as he had nothing to hide, the attorney said.

As for the release of the transcripts, Levine said it "appears the only way such documents could have been leaked would be by the government, which is extremely troubling."

"By law, confidential information obtained by the prosecution including testimony and documents secured pursuant to investigative subpoena cannot be available for inspection or divulged and are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act," Levine added.

One year ago this month, Nessel's office removed Flood from leading Flint water prosecution.

On Monday, Flood said he had no idea how the transcripts of his interview with Baird became public. But he acknowledged their release was "absolutely" an illegal act.

"I share the concerns of unauthorized disclosures of confidential material," Flood said in a statement. "I am not in a position to know why someone would do such a reckless act to disclose protected material."

Last year, Nessel removed Flood from the prosecution team. Nessel ordered criminal charges dismissed from the past investigation.

Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym  Worthy are now leading the prosecution team. On April 17, they promised criminal charges are still coming and that the criminal statute of limitations and the coronavirus pandemic will not stop them.

VICE says its new reporting into the Flint water crisis spanned "a year and a half across the state of Michigan."

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Michigan Attorney General & Wayne County Prosecutor Team Up To Do What They Do - Cover Up Cover Ups - Flint Water Crisis Prosecution

This is quite the awkward prosecutorial situation considering the fact that the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office is under federal investigation with the Michigan Attorney General's Office in relation to the Flint Water Crisis and other stuff.

Oups j'ai dit une betise!

“Attorney General Nessel’s appointment of Fadwa Hammoud to serve as Michigan’s next Solicitor General is a brilliant choice. She is a visionary with an excellent work ethic. This is bittersweet for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and me personally. Fadwa has served all Wayne County residents with integrity, distinction, and honor. We are sad to see her leave Wayne County service, but the citizens of the entire State will be the beneficiary of her fairness and impressive reputation.” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy

I wonder what the gals have planned for Andy Arena?

From a fan...

Flint continued cover up and continued expolitation has officially expanded hard core into Flint and the cover up will likely continue. Unless I can get my hands on the Master Plumber who oversaw the Flint water valve turn on to help answer some questions. I bet they have info they don't realize they have and may help get to the root of the real problem. There is some pipe that is supposed to drain from under Flint City that no one seems to know where it is...as in they kinda lost where it was, or ao they kinda say but don't say.....and many others have been dead headed (sealed off) and whatever is under there is likely nasty and PFAS contaminated. Kildee is asking now for PFAS to be added for Superfund cleanup sites. How convenient. Need to find that outlet to get water tested. Oh, and people allegely from Easter Seals allegedly have a contract with MDHHS in Flint because of water and are handing out what they say are psych meds without any official diagnoses.

Former Wayne County prosecutor to take lead on Flint water prosecutions

Fadwa Hammoud

The state’s new solicitor general will take lead on the state’s criminal cases related to the Flint water crisis, including the prosecution of involuntary manslaughter charges against two former high-ranking Snyder officials.

Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday Fadwa Hammoud’s appointment as solicitor general, making her the first Muslim Arab American to achieve that post in the country. Hammoud is a former lead attorney at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

Flint Special Prosecutor Todd Flood, who was appointed by Republican former Attorney General Bill Schuette, will report to Hammoud. He successfully convinced 67th District Court judges to bind over for trial former Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon and former Chief Medical Executive Eden Wells on criminal charges related to 2014-15 Legionnaire's disease outbreak that killed 12 individuals and sickened at least 79 others.

 Schuette's personal supervision of Flood prevented him from engaging in the civil cases related to Flint, Nessel said. Both the civil and criminal cases have continued for years and cost taxpayers millions, she said.

“We don’t prescribe to the idea of prosecution for profit in this office,” Nessel said in a a statement. “I have worked closely with Ms. Hammoud as a prosecutor and trust her to make the right decisions and take the proper steps to ensure justice for the people of Flint. This department has spent millions of dollars on these cases, and our state residents deserve assurance that these cases are handled properly.”

On Tuesday, Flood praised Hammoud.

“Fadwa is a great person and an excellent lawyer who will serve the people of state and Flint very well,” Flood said. “I look forward to working with her.”

Schuette’s position overseeing Flood has remained empty since the turn of the year because Nessel was uncomfortable with the conflicts associated with the role, said Nessel's spokeswoman Kelly Rossman McKinney. Hammoud’s appointment allows Nessel to remain “above the conflict wall” by avoiding a direct role in either the criminal or civil cases.

“For now, (Flood) will report to the solicitor general,” Rossman McKinney said. “She’ll be in court with him tomorrow to watch, listen and learn.”

Special prosecutors will be in 67th District Court for the resumption of the preliminary exam of Patrick Cook, a Department of Environmental Quality water treatment engineer who is accused of misconduct in office, conspiracy to engage in misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty for allegedly manipulating a Lead and Copper Rule report on the levels of lead in Flint’s water.

There have been talks about a possible plea deal for Cook.

In early January, Nessel asked Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy to review the Flint criminal cases, and Worthy was expected to make recommendations regarding the future of the prosecution, including Flood's future as special prosecutor.

Hammoud’s appointment to the case does not interrupt the review of the prosecutions being conducted by Worthy, Rossman McKinney said. The review is ongoing and could influence the future of the cases and who leads them, she said.

Since Worthy and Hammoud worked together in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, “there’s a trusting relationship already established,” Rossman McKinney said.

Worthy declined additional comment on the review, but praised Nessel’s appointment of Hammoud to the cases, calling it a “bittersweet” moment for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

“Attorney General Nessel’s appointment of Fadwa Hammoud to serve as Michigan’s next solicitor general is a brilliant choice,” Worthy said in a statement. “She is a visionary with an excellent work ethic.”

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The Flint Water Targeted Populations Murder Trial Is Off And Running

I truly hope everyone understands that there are multiple layers to this entire investigation that takes us from Flint, to D.C. right back here to Detroit.

I see Todd, but where is Andy?

Hey, Andy, whacha doin'?

Judge: Michigan health chief Lyon heads to trial on Flint crisis manslaughter charges

Flint — Michigan health and welfare chief Nick Lyon will stand trial on felony charges including involuntary manslaughter related to the Flint water crisis, a judge ruled Monday.

67th District Court Judge David Goggins made the announcement in a nearly 160-minute ruling from the bench after delaying the decision more than three weeks in the most anticipated Flint water prosecution case.

Lyon will go to trial on two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of misconduct in office connected to the Flint region's 2014-2015 Legionnaires' disease outbreak that killed 12 people and sickened another 79 people. No public notice about the outbreak was given until Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder made the announcement in mid-January 2016 at a hastily arranged press conference in Detroit.

Lyon "had the ability" to know how many Legionnaires' disease deaths there were in the Flint area and has the "power" as the state's health chief to protect lives and "enforce laws" to that end, the judge ruled, citing prosecution witnesses including retired state epidemiologist Corinne Miller.

Goggins found that Lyon knew about the outbreak in 2015.

Special Prosecutor Todd Flood recently added a misdemeanor charge of "willful neglect" to protect the health of Genesee County residents, but Goggins on Monday appeared to dismiss the charge. He spoke faintly, and courtroom spectators strained at times to hear what he was saying.

If convicted, Lyon could face up to 30 years in prison on the manslaughter charges and up to another five years on the misconduct charge. Up to $25,000 in fines could be added for the three charges. 

Goggins was in no hurry to make a decision. Reading from a yellow notepad full of notes, he read from each and every page.

The judge covered every person from the more than 20 prosecution witnesses, from state health officials to the relatives of elderly Flint area residents Richard Skidmore and John Snyder, whom the prosecution say died from Legionnaire's disease that Lyon failed to warn the public about.

To send a case to trial for a jury to consider, the judge must decide whether there’s probable cause that a "reasonable person, based on the evidence, could find the defendant guilty," Wayne State University law professor Peter Henning said.

Lyon walked into court with his wife more than a half an hour before the hearing was scheduled to start, hugging family members and then sitting down with his wife on a bench outside the courtroom. The hearing started 45 minutes late.

Among those in the courtroom were former state Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw, and former Snyder Community Health Director James Haveman, who has supported Lyon.

The preliminary exam involved 10 months of testimony — starting last September with prosecution witnesses and then this spring with defense witnesses.

Prosecutors contended Lyon should have warned the public of the Flint region's Legionnaires' disease outbreak and could have saved lives.

The defense lawyers countered that Lyon runs a department of 14,000 employees and relied on the expertise of department employees, none of whom recommended issuing a public warning. They also argued the prosecution failed to make any connection between Lyon and the men's deaths, arguing they died from long-term diseases but not Legionnaires'.

Because Skidmore and Snyder went to McLaren hospital in Flint, where medical officials had been warned about Legionnaires' disease, a public announcement wouldn’t have prevented their deaths, the defense said.

Former state-appointed Flint Emergency Manager Gerald Ambrose already has skipped his preliminary exam and will go straight to trial.

Michigan Chief Medical Executive Eden Wells and four current and former Michigan Department of Environmental Quality regulators are still going through their preliminary exams after being charged criminally. No date has been set for Wells' bind-over ruling.

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EPA Flint Water Crisis OIG Report Is Out!

Ok, let me get this straight.

So, the EPA Flint Water Crisis started like this:

del Tora: "Hey, boss, people of Flint just let me know the children are being poisoned by the water and no one is doing a thing about it." 

Hedman: "Really, let me get a legal opinion, first, then put together a legal defense team to come up with a propaganda campaign to cover up why it took so long for us to do anything to stop it." 

Feel free to correct me in the comments, below.

Inspector: EPA 'management weakness' prolonged Flint crisis

Lansing — "Management weaknesses" delayed federal intervention in the Flint water crisis after Michigan failed to enforce rules designed to prevent lead contamination and protect public health, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General.

The 69-page report, below, released Thursday highlights known failures by both state and federal regulators that led to the Flint water contamination crisis, but it provides a new level of specificity and includes recommendations to improve oversight.

“While Flint residents were being exposed to lead in drinking water, the federal response was delayed, in part, because the EPA did not establish clear roles and responsibilities, risk assessment procedures, effective communication and proactive oversight tools,” according to the report.

The report cited management problems at the EPA and its Region 5 office in Chicago, which oversees Michigan. Regional managers did not properly address state actions to “disinvest” in safe drinking water requirements dating back to 2010, concluding they were intended to be temporary and not affect public health, inspectors said.

The Region 5 office also lacked an effective risk assessment process, the report said. While initial bacterial violations alone would not have pointed to lead contamination, “the combined information available to Region 5 painted a picture of a system at risk from multiple angles.”

In January 2016, The Detroit News reported that Region 5 water expert Miguel del Toral warned of Flint water problems in a June internal memo, but then-Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman said she sought a legal opinion on whether the EPA could force action that wasn’t completed until November 2015 — after the state finally recognized the crisis.

Oh, those "Legal Geniuses" (trademark pending), they are everywhere, are they not!?

Hedman soon retired after The News' report, but but no EPA officials were ever fired over the Flint crisis. In a March 2016 congressional hearing, Obama EPA chief Gina McCarthy defended Hedman as "courageous" and blamed the state's misleading and insufficient information for prolonging the crisis.

The state didn’t agree to apply corrosion controls until late July and didn’t publicly concede until October 2015 that it erroneously applied the federal Lead and Copper Rule overseeing water quality. The state decided in October to change Flint’s drinking water source from the corrosive Flint River back to the Detroit water system.

The report, based on two years of research and inquires, dings the federal agency but also repeatedly notes the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality holds primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with safe drinking water requirements.

Communication between the EPA and DEQ “did not convey key information about human health risks from lead,” the report said.

MDEQ did not properly develop and maintain an inventory of lead service lines needed to ensure appropriate test sampling of Flint water, according to the inspector general. The state also failed to ensure Flint continues to use corrosion control chemicals when city began using Flint River water in April 2014 and did not provide the EPA with “accurate information” regarding treatment.

The state “did not issue a notice of violation or take other formal enforcement action regarding either requirement until August 2015.,” the report said. “Instead, the MDEQ advised Flint public water system staff to conduct additional tests and to delay corrosion control treatment installation. The decision to delay corrosion control treatment prolonged residents’ exposure to lead.”

The EPA Office of Inspector General first announced the investigation in January 2016, five days after then-President Barack Obama declared a federal emergency in the city, freeing up $5 million in federal aid. The Obama administration denied Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's request for a major disaster declaration because the Flint water contamination crisis was a man-made calamity not created by fire, flood or explosion.

Inspectors issued a preliminary report in October 2016,  saying the EPA had the authority and enough information about Flint water lead contamination to issue an emergency order to protect public health as early as June 2015, seven months before it's Chicago-based Region 5 office did so.

McCarthy and Gov. Rick Snyder testified before a congressional committee in March 2016 and faced withering criticism for state and federal oversight failures but resisted calls to resign.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed criminal charges against several former and current state employees and officials over the lead contamination and Legionnaires' disease outbreaks that killed at least 12 and sickened 79 others.

Del Toral began raising concerns about Flint water lead content in early 2015 and pressed the DEQ for information about corrosion controls. He confirmed the suspicions in April of that year and two months later summarized the looming problem in an internal memo.

By June 2015, EPA Region 5 knew at least four homes had water with lead concentrations exceeding the federal action level of 15 parts per billion, according to an earlier inspector general report.  It was not until Jan. 21, 2016, that EPA finally exerted its authority by issuing an emergency order that laid out steps for Flint and the state to resolve the crisis.

In congressional testimony a month later, the Virginia Tech University professor who helped uncover the Flint water crisis criticized the EPA’s Hedman for discrediting the internal report. But Marc Edwards told Congress the primary blame lies with a few state environmental regulators who “misled” Michigan leaders and residents and tried to “cover up” proof of high lead levels.

EPA Flint Water Crisis Report 7-19-2018 by Beverly Tran on Scribd

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Cummings & Gowdy Got A Flat Out "No" From Snyder On His Fraudulent Flint Testimony

It is little moments, such as this letter from U.S. House Committee On Governmental Oversight, that makes me wake up every morning with a renewed lust for retribution for what these people have done to our children and the public record.

In the spirit of fushcia...

Well, this is quite an interesting choice of sound byte chosen by the Detroit Free Press, considering the fact that it has an interesting history suppressing, or rather biasesly watering down issues of public corruption.

House Oversight Committee invites Snyder to amend his testimony on Flint

The top Republican and Democrat on a congressional committee sent Gov. Rick Snyder a letter Thursday, below, inviting him to correct or supplement his sworn testimony in 2016 related to the Flint drinking water crisis and reminding him about federal perjury law.

For a U.S. House Committee to present opportunity to amend testimony in light of new evidence is not out of character in the spirit of due process, but to not act upon this gracious opportunity to amend, or even supplement, in light of new manslaughter charges as a result of lower court testimony in which is in the public record, well, we have an issue going on.

But in a reply letter, Snyder told the lawmakers he testified truthfully and stands by what he said.

I put in a formal request for Snyder's letter and will update upon receipt. 

U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, the Republican chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, who is the ranking Democrat on the committee, wrote to Snyder in light of sworn testimony earlier this month by a Snyder aide. That testimony contradicted what Snyder told the committee about when he learned of a spike in Legionnaires' disease cases in the Flint area.

Snyder's testimony contridicted what I have been documenting and saying for years. 

Rick Snyder And Maura Corrigan Knew and Had A Plan For Flint

Snyder, who testified under oath in Washington, D.C., when the lead contamination of Flint's drinking water was in the national spotlight, told the committee he learned about the Legionnaires' disease outbreaks one day before he made the health issue public at a Jan. 13, 2016, news conference.

But Harvey Hollins III, who was Snyder's point person on the Flint water crisis, testified in a criminal case in Flint on Oct. 6 that he told Snyder about the Legionnaires' disease outbreaks weeks earlier, in December.

You can watch Snyder's testimony here ===> Congressional Hearing Of The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform On Flint Water Crisis, February 3, 2016

In the letter, Gowdy and Cummings cited details of the conflicting testimony.

"In order to resolve this discrepancy in recollection, please supply the committee with any additional relevant information you have concerning the date upon which you first learned of the Legionnaires' disease," the letter said.

"If necessary, you may also choose to amend or supplement your testimony."

The  lawmakers asked Snyder to respond by Oct. 25 and told him that under federal law, it is perjury to "knowingly and willfully" make a false statement under oath.

Snyder wrote a reply letter to the committee Thursday, saying: "My testimony was truthful, and I stand by it."

"I have specifically reviewed the question and my answer referenced in your letter," Snyder said.

"While you have offered for me to clarify my sworn testimony, I do not believe there is any reason to do so."

This is the part where I throw in my 2 cents.  See, the Michigan Attorney General, Bill Schuette, is running for governor.  Bill Schuette is a suave and savvy politician who has hired the independent prosecution team of Todd Flood and Andy Arena, the former being Wayne County murder and the other being federal public corruption out of Detroit, both of whom are loved by the masses.

So far, Snyder has been dodging them.

Now, the question that should be looming over the heads of the curious is, "Who the hell advised Snyder to not amend or supplement his testimony?"

Snyder said he and his office "will continue to fully cooperate" with the committee.

Perjury prosecutions for lying to Congress are rare.

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, a Democrat from Flint Township, welcomed Thursday's letter from the lawmakers.

“Flint families deserve to know the truth about when the governor first learned of the Legionnaires’ outbreak," Kildee said in a news release. "Justice for Flint families comes in many forms, including holding those in state government who created the crisis accountable.”

I have nothing to support my statement right here so consider this another 2 cents.  It is my belief that Michigan Attorney General Schuette has, oh, how can we say, capitulated to federal authorities on the many other matters associated with the "leadership" of Snyder, like, um....I dunno...like the Detroit Land Bank Authority federal investigation and grand jury because it is all interconnected.

Just ask Dan Kildee, creator of the land bank concept.

Schuette is far from stupid like Mike Cox.  Yes, I called out Mikey, again. 

I believe Schuette is sick of what is going on in Michigan.  That is all I am going to say on the topic right now, as a few of us patiently await to see what he is going to do with the jacklegged charity filings of the Clinton Foundation in Michigan.

Flint's drinking water became contaminated with lead following a switch of the city's drinking water supply to the Flint River in April 2014, while the city was under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager.

Despite almost immediate complaints about the color, odor and taste of the water, the state did not acknowledge a lead contamination problem until about Oct. 1, 2015, long after tests showed elevated lead levels in tap water samples and a spike in toxic lead levels in the blood of Flint children.

The State of Michigan never responds to constituents' concerns, particularly if they deal with "The Poors" (always said with clinched teeth).

At least a dozen deaths have been linked to the Legionnaires' disease outbreaks in Genesee County that followed the water switch, though a definitive causal relationship between the water switch and the disease outbreak has not been established.

Please, keep in mind, it is all about the dollars...and privatization.

U.S. House Oversight Committee Letter To Michigan Governor Snyder On Amending Testimony On Flint Water Cris... by Beverly Tran on Scribd

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Has The Flint Water Crisis Made It Into Michigan's Investigative Gubernatorial Race?

Ah, the Flint water crisis has now made its way into the Michigan gubernatorial campaign! 


Perhaps, not intentionally, but it is now.

Feds side with Gov. Snyder, ask court to lift orders tied to Flint water crisis

FLINT, MI -- Federal health officials are joining with Gov. Rick Snyder and the state Department of Health and Human Services in asking that protective orders blocking state agencies from health information tied to the Flint water crisis be lifted.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services filed a brief Friday, Oct. 14, in support of the Michigan DHHS, which is asking the state Court of Appeals to block protective orders issued by Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut.

The orders limit the information DHHS can receive from the Genesee County Health Department and McLaren-Flint regarding cases of Legionella and Legionnaires' disease while special prosecutors are still investigating criminal wrongdoing related to the Flint water crisis.

But, wait!  The Michigan Attorney General has his own special appointed investigation going on and it is pretty darn nasty.

DHHS involvement in water investigation would taint probe, attorneys tell court

FLINT, MI -- Allowing the state Department of Health and Human Services to investigate legionella cases at McLaren Flint hospital would serve no purpose but to compromise ongoing criminal investigations tied to the Flint water crisis, according to attorneys defending a Genesee County Circuit judge's ruling.

In filings with the Michigan Court of Appeals on Friday, Sept. 2, attorneys for the county countered a DHHS complaint, which seeks to give the agency access to and information from McLaren -- something protective orders issued by Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut forbid.

The orders limit information that DHHS can receive from the county Health Department and McLaren regarding cases of legionella and Legionnaires' disease while special prosecutors are still investigating criminal wrongdoing in the Flint water crisis.

So, why is the U.S. HHS taking the side of Governor Snyder?  I am guessing it has to do with one of those bullshit pitches about being able to care for the children.

If Michigan cannot even care for families and children not in foster care, then how do you think the rest of them are fairing? 

Perhaps Mr. Schuette and the boys will take this opportunity to look into the Michigan DHHS child welfare programs and its revenue maximization schemes.

Foster care families and children impacted by Flint's water crisis

FLINT (WJRT) - (08/31/16) - The water crisis is having an impact on foster care in Flint.

Children already go through a lot being put into the system, so for them and for the parents who take them in, the contaminated water adds another layer of intimidation and concern.

Jennifer Stevens, the Program Director at Samaritas Foster Care Services in Flint says, "They already experience, because of the trauma, educational issues, developmental issues, and medical issues. This could increase those concerns, immediately but also long-term, so it's really important for us to know what's going on with those children, so we can make sure their needs are being taken care of. "

Wednesday evening, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services held a resource fair for foster parents and for those considering opening their homes to children in need.

The goal is to make sure they know they're not alone in dealing with the water crisis fallout and to connect them with agencies who can help.

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'Corrupt officials' time is up, Detroit FBI chief says; new task force announced

Remember, you heard it here first.  Stay tuned for updates.  Thank you Andrea Arena for going after Medicaid fraud in child welfare, and antitrust violations in the 5 child placing agencies' contracts, and racketeering in child protective services and foster care services, and false claims in mental health programs, and fraudulent generation of documents, and illegal campaign contributions to judges over at Lincoln Hall of Justice, and the cover ups of rape, torture and murder...oh, just watch the video!

'Corrupt officials' time is up, Detroit FBI chief 

says; new task force announced

The FBI’s top official in Detroit declared war on public corruption today, hours after law enforcement officials announced a new task force to combat it.

Andrew Arena, special agent in charge of the Detroit office of the FBI, called corruption in the region “generational, systematic, part of the culture.”

“It takes a whole lot to penetrate that,” he said. “It’s kind of like a war. You penetrate the enemy’s defenses.”

Arena declined to name the enemies he was referring to, saying he could not talk about ongoing investigations. He has overseen investigations of ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, as well as Wayne County government under Executive Robert Ficano.

“You see what’s out there,” he said, in an apparent reference to news media coverage of federal investigations of Detroit and Wayne County government.

On Tuesday, federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment of a former treasurer for Detroit, who is accused of taking bribes to support pension investment deals.

Last month, prosecutors charged Wayne County’s former chief technology officer with shaking down an IT contractor for cash, trips and perks for his family.

Arena called public corruption “our No..1 criminal priority right now.”

He spoke to reporters from his office on the 26th floor of the McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit. The office looks out on the Detroit River, as well as southwest Detroit, where Arena grew up.

He said the task force announced Thursday has been working together for a few months. Though law enforcement agencies traditionally have cooperated, he said it was “groundbreaking to put this many agencies together.”

“We all bring a different set of tools,” Arena said.

In addition to the FBI, the task force includes federal prosecutors, the IRS, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, state police, Detroit police and federal housing, environmental protection and transportation investigators.

“Public corruption robs citizens of the honest government we deserve,” U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said in a statement announcing the task force.

Erick Martinez, special agent in charge of the criminal investigations division of the IRS in Detroit, said in the statement: “The individuals who commit these crimes are driven by greed and have no regret for their selfish actions.”

Comments from other members of the Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force included in the statement focused on the impact public corruption has on people.

Breck Nowlin, special agent in charge of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General in Detroit, said: “The abuse of public office … steals from the very programs designed to protect our cities and neighborhoods and selfishly takes valuable government services from those who need them the most.”

Randall Ashe, special agent in charge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s criminal investigations division in Detroit, said public corruption kills.

“Because exposure to asbestos, lead and hazardous waste can be fatal, our public leaders must ensure that construction work is carried out properly and by the most qualified people and companies, not by those looking to ‘pay to play.’ ”

In an interview, Arena said he wants investigations to move more quickly than that of the Detroit corruption probe, which took several years to result in criminal charges. He predicted that the Wayne County investigation would be done much sooner.

He said investigators owe a speedy resolution not only to taxpayers, but to the people under suspicion “to either bring charges or clear their names.”

Arena also harkened back to a comment he made in June 2009, on the day then-Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers pleaded guilty to taking bribes.

“We’re coming after you,” he said at a news conference. “Look over your shoulder. Look under your bed. Look in your closet. We’re coming after you.”

He said he took some guff afterward, but after a slew of other Detroit officials were indicted, he added: “I don’t think anybody’s laughing anymore.”

“We’ve got people on the run,” Arena said. “We’ve got the community behind us.”