© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Calley, Schuette Spar Over Flint Water Charges

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley
Facebook
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley

In his first day as a candidate for governor, Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley made criminal charges related to the Flint water crisis a campaign issue. Michigan Public Radio’s Rick Pluta tells us he was picking a fight with state Attorney General Bill Schuette, who is a rival for the Republican nomination.

The criminal charges target some high-ranking officials in Governor Rick Snyder’s administration. Calley has served as Snyder’s Number Two since 2011. He told The Detroit News there would be no criminal charges if Schuette wasn’t running for governor. Schuette says politics did not play a role in the Flint water crisis charges.

“Zero, none, not one bit." Schuette said. "This is about providing and delivering justice.”

Schuette has charged 15 people with crimes including willful neglect of duty and misconduct in office. Two top state health officials face manslaughter charges related to one of a dozen deaths attributed to an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease. 

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
Related Content
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!