Snyder's legal tab with criminal defense firm hits $3.5M

Detroit Free Press

LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder has notified the State Administrative Board that his taxpayer-funded legal fees with a criminal defense firm, for services related to the Flint drinking water crisis, will increase by another $1.5 million, to a cap of $3.5 million.

Snyder also has a $1.4-million contract with a civil defense law firm, to provide representation on Flint lawsuits top of what the governor receives from lawyers in the Attorney General's Office.

Taken together, outside legal services for the governor related to the lead contamination of Flint's drinking water are now expected to approach $5 million.

"Ongoing legal work is required as we continue to fully comply with the Attorney General’s investigation," Snyder spokeswoman Anna Heaton said Wednesday, in confirming the latest increase.

Previously, Snyder's outside legal fees were expected to top $3.4 million, with $2 million going to Warner Norcross, which is providing criminal defense advice and dealing with documents requests, and $1.4 million going to Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker, the Detroit firm providing civil law defense.

Gov. Rick Snyder's outside legal bills related to the Flint drinking water crisis are approaching $5 million.

The fact Snyder is charging the legal fees to taxpayers has been controversial, and in October the Ingham County Circuit Court denied a request from a Flint resident, filed by former Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer, asking for a one-judge grand jury to look into whether the billings violate any criminal laws.

Snyder and his officials have consistently said the billings are appropriate and lawful because the legal advice relates to actions Snyder took in his official capacity as governor.

News of the latest increase in the criminal defense fees comes one day after Attorney General Bill Schuette brought felony charges against two former Flint emergency managers, who were appointed by Snyder, and two former Flint public works employees. Those charges bring the total number of defendants charged by Schuette in the Flint water case to 13.

Schuette's investigation has cost more than $2.3 million so far and is expected to cost $4.9 million.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4.