Former special prosecutor Todd Flood is off the team handling the Flint water crisis criminal investigation.
In 2016, Todd Flood was appointed by former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to oversee the criminal investigation into the Flint water crisis. He was demoted earlier this year by new Attorney General Dana Nessel. Now he’s out altogether.
Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud has spent months reviewing the prosecution effort. In a press release, Hammoud says under Flood the legal process known as “discovery” was not fully and properly pursued from the onset of this investigation.
“The decision to terminate Mr. Flood’s contract reflects our ongoing commitment to execute the highest standards in the prosecution of the Flint Water Crisis,” says Hammoud. “Our standards demand a full accounting of all evidence that may inform the People’s investigation.”
Hammoud says Flood’s contract with the Attorney General’s office was terminated April 16th.
The former county assistant prosecutor was working in private practice when he was tapped to lead the investigation by the former Attorney General.
Efforts to reach Todd Flood for comment have been unsuccessful.
Under Flood, the investigation indicted 15 government officials on charges related to the Flint water crisis. But seven cut plea deals with little or no penalty. The rest of the cases remain in limbo.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has brought in the Wayne County prosecutor's office to help evaluate how to proceed.
Flint Mayor Karen Weaver says she respects the decision to make changes in the prosecution team in the Flint water crisis probe. But she says that shouldn’t be the focus.
“I will continue to voice my desires to have truth, transparency and justice for Flint residents,” says Weaver, “…keep the focus where it should be, and that is on making the residents whole after such a traumatic experience.”
