Gov. Rick Snyder (file photo)
Gov. Rick Snyder
Normally, it is the state attorney general's job to defend a government in lawsuits against a governor.
But outside lawyers will help defend Gov. Rick Snyder in litigation relating to the Flint water crisis,Lindsay Vanhulle reports from Lansing for Crain's Detroit Business reports:
Eugene Driker, a member with Detroit-based Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker PLLC, will assist with civil representation in addition to the state attorney general’s office, Snyder spokesman Ari Adler told Crain’s in an email. Brian Lennon, a partner with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP in Grand Rapids, has been hired as “investigatory counsel,” Adler said. That includes work searching and processing emails and documents.
Both attorneys are being paid with state dollars, Adler said. Their contracts are worth $249,000 each, he said, but the attorneys will be paid only for hours worked. Contracts end Dec. 31, but can be extended.
Snyder and other state officials are named in suits. Additionally, the FBI and Environmental Protection Agency have launched a preliminary criminal probe into the matter.
Additionally, investigators outside of the attorney general's office are conducting a probe into the matter on behalf of Attorney General Bill Schuette to determine if criminal laws have been violated.
