Michigan democratic chair says AG Schuette ignored Flint complaints

LANSING, Mich. (WJBK) - Despite the nine people charged by Attorney General Bill Schuette, Michigan's Democratic Chair is accusing him of ignoring pleas from the public to look into lead fears long before he launched his investigation.

Brandon Dillon said Wednesday that for over a year, Flint residents complained about the color of their water long before it was determined there was lead in the water.

At the end of 2015, attorney general bill Schuette concluded an investigation into the flint water crisis was not required.

However, in June, the Attorney General was asked about any contact he had with his environmental division on the unfolding Flint Water Crisis. As it turns out - there was none. He said he 'did not recall' talking to anyone from the environmental division about Flint.

But two weeks ago, the MIRS newsletter reported that 14 residents had contact Schuette's office in 2015 to complain about the water. Despite the contact, those inquiries did not trigger an investigation.

Schuette's office points out that it receives upwards of 30,000 contacts from the public every year and that the 14 emails never made it up to the man in charge. Dillon said that seems confenient.

"He seems to be ready to hop to it when the camera lights are on but when average citizens and potentially legislatures of another party have an issue, he's nowhere to be found," Dillon said.

Early this year, Schuette reversed his stance based on new media accounts of the crisis and ordered the investigation by hiring outside council Todd Flood. Then in June, Schuette was asked of Flood would be investigating his office as well.

"No reason for it to be (investigated). We're working on those who are responsible for any criminal conduct or any civil conduct ," Schuette said.

Dillon is not ready to call on Flood to investigate Schuette's conduct - yet. He said he would 'see what happens'.