Mat be as Serious as Manslaughter If Conduct Determined To Be Grossly Negligent
Jackson Lee: The more we learn about the conduct of those principally involved in the water crisis in Flint Michigan the more likely it appears that that criminal acts may have been committed for which those responsible must be held to account before the bar of justice."
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime Terrorism Homeland Security and Investigations released the following statement today in response to news story in the
Washington Post that officials involved in the water crisis in Flint Michigan could face charges as serious as manslaughter if their conduct is found to be grossly negligent:
The more we learn about the conduct of those principally involved in the water crisis in Flint Michigan the more likely it appears that that criminal acts may have been committed for which those responsible must be held to account before the bar of justice. For this reason I am heartened by the announcement as reported today in the
Washington Post that criminal charges may be brought against those persons whose malfeasance misfeasance or nonfeasance was a proximate cause of the serious injuries inflicted upon Flint residents.
(Manslaughter charges possible in Flint water crisis says top investigator" Feb. 10 2016). The substantial and lasting damage inflicted upon Flint residents and especially their children cannot be overstated or excused. Officials must be held responsible for the lethal poisoning of vulnerable individuals.
As a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime Terrorism Homeland Security and Investigations I will remain focused on holding officials accountable to the people of Flint and to the American public. I will not rest until justice is done.
That is why as soon as details became public regarding the nature and scope of the Flint water crisis and the abdication of responsibility by state officials I wrote to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch requesting the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a criminal investigation. In addition I have joined with several of my colleagues in requesting President Obama calling to take further and appropriate executive action to help ameliorate the crisis. I also participated in the first of many investigative hearings to be held by House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Committee. And today I joined Ranking Member John Conyers of Michigan and my Democratic colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee in urging the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee to convene hearings without delay.
I commend my Michigan colleagues Ranking Member Conyers Congressman Dale Kildee (MI-05) and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) for their leadership and steadfast commitment to their fellow Michiganders. As I have indicated to them and to the residents of Flint when during my visit last week they can count on me to stand in solidarity with them and residents of Flint to right the grievous wrong done to them no matter how long it takes."
