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Federal judge allows part of a Flint water crisis lawsuit to move forward

A lengthy order from a federal judge is allowing part of a wide-ranging Flint water crisis lawsuit to go forward. 

Plaintiffs are Flint residents Shari Guertin, her child and Diogenes Muse-Cleveland.  The suit claims a variety of state and local officials, government agencies, and private contractors’ actions caused their drinking water to become contaminated with lead and actively concealed the problem.

U.S. District Judge Judith Levy’s order will allow the suit to move forward against the city of Flint, two former emergency managers, and nine other current and former government employees. 

The suit accuses the defendants of violating the plaintiffs’ fundamental right to bodily integrity “so egregious as to shock the conscience.”

But in her 101-page opinion, Judge Levy dismissed the same count against several defendants, including Governor Rick Snyder.

The judge will also allow a negligence count against two contractors.

Monday’s order dismissed most of the counts in the original lawsuit. 

This isone of many Flint water crisis lawsuitsmaking their way through the court.

Copyright 2017 Michigan Radio

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Radio since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting. During his two and a half decades in broadcasting, Steve has won numerous awards, including accolades from the Associated Press and Radio and Television News Directors Association. Away from the broadcast booth, Steve is an avid reader and movie fanatic. Q&A