Snyder to be charged in Flint water probe

This is a developing story.

Filmmaker Michael Moore said a recent Associated Press report that Michigan's former governor, Rick Snyder, will be charged for his role in the Flint water crisis has made him hopeful that "justice is happening" for the Flint community. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Moore, who is from Flint, has made several documentary films about the MI city; his 2018 film "Fahrenheit 11/9" also took a look at the Flint water scandal and was critical of Snyder's handling of the crisis. State environmental regulators advised Flint not to apply corrosion controls to the water, which became contaminated by lead from aging pipes without those corrosion controls. The switch was also blamed for a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.

Then-Governor Snyder eventually acknowledged the problem, accepted the resignation of his environmental chief and pledged to aid the city. Years later, Snyder has been named as a defendent in multiple civil and class action lawsuits.

Update: Tuesday, January 12 at 3:45 p.m.

State officials in MI are planning to present charges against former Governor Rick Snyder amid a new investigation of the Flint Water scandal.

In a statement shared Tuesday, Snyder's attorney said a criminal prosecution would be "outrageous" and accused the Office of Special Counsel of targeting the former governor in a political escapade. Any charges would be meritless. AP said it did not know what the nature of the charges was.

Baird served as Snyder's point man in Flint throughout the crisis.