July 14, 2020
A federal court has denied Rick Snyder qualified immunity for a second time, an action that once again blocks requests to delay certain depositions of the former governor and ex-state Treasurer Andy Dillon in lawsuits related to the Flint water crisis.
After losing his qualified immunity appeal a few months ago, Snyder asked all appellate judges who sit on the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a three judge panel ruling earlier ruling. The request was denied Tuesday, July 14.
MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach the Department of Attorney General, which represents state defendants in the case, for comment on the ruling. However, Theodore J. Leopold, a partner at Cohen Milstein and co-lead counsel in the Flint case, issued the following statement:
“We are pleased that the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit has again denied former Governor Snyder’s latest appeal in his constant attempts to avoid responsibility for his role in the Flint water disaster. Not only are we pleased with this latest ruling but we strongly feel that it is time for the former Governor and all of the State’s bad actors to be held accountable for their decisions that have caused so much anguish to the people of Flint.”
Read Former Gov. Snyder Denied Qualified Immunity in Lawsuits for Second Time.