Flint water crisis: three state and local officials face first criminal charges

Michigan officials facing multiple felonies and misdemeanors accusing them of misconduct, tampering with evidence, and 'willfully' misleading federal officials

Three state and local officials involved in Flint's water contamination crisis were criminally charged on Wednesday for their roles in the two-year public health debacle, the first round of what's expected to be many charges against government employees.

The officials are facing multiple felonies and misdemeanors accusing them of misconduct, tampering with evidence, and "willfully" misleading federal officials, more than six months after Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan admitted his administration gravely misunderstood the extent of a lead contamination problem in Flint.