LANSING, MI -- Attorney General Bill Schuette on Monday appointed former Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Todd Flood to lead an investigation into the Flint water crisis, but some are questioning his impartiality due to past political donations, including to Gov. Rick Snyder.
"We're still investigating and what we're finding is that Todd Flood has made large campaign contributions to politicians including the governor and that raises serious questions about conflicts of interest," said Melanie McElroy, executive director of anti-corruption group Common Cause Michigan.
Michigan campaign finance records show Flood donated $3,000 to Snyder during the 2010 and 2014 election cycles.
Flood said at a press conference Monday morning he had a reputation for integrity.
"I don't have a bias or prejudice one way or the other," he said.
Flood said he had given to both Democratic and Republican candidates. Campaign finance records show he gave $1,200 to former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, and also $1,360 to former Democratic Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton. He's also given to a smattering of local judge candidates.
However, in statewide elections his donations have trended Republican. Aside from Snyder he gave monetary support for former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan, who was nominated by Republicans, and $8,350 to former Republican Attorney General Mike Cox. He also gave $13,519 to a PAC associated with Stu Sandler's Decider Strategies, which lists the Michigan Republican Party among its current and former clients.
Flood is also a private attorney with Flood Law, PLLC.
"He's not currently serving as a public prosecutor, which means he's not accountable to the public in any way. And I think that unless Mr. Flood were to disclose his client base we wouldn't know who would be benefitting of impacting his ability to make tough decisions," McElroy said.
Flood said he was taking steps to make sure his private practice did not interfere with this public work.
"I have set up the proper walls and channels in my office and have consulted with an ethics attorney," Flood said.
The Flint water crisis started in April of 2014 when the city switched from Detroit water to using the Flint River as its main water source. Pipes leading to some homes and businesses, as well as specific fixtures, have leached lead into the water. Due to heightened lead levels in children, the state is treating it as a public health crisis.
"The tragedy of Flint is a tragedy of immense proportions and words can barely describe this tragedy. Things went terribly, terribly wrong," Schuette said Monday.
Schuette is charged with defending the state against legal challenges. But in this case his office -- through Flood, retired Detroit FBI chief Andrew Arena and a team they assemble -- will also be investigating people connected with the state and anybody involved in the Flint water crisis.
Schuette said his office would be keeping the teams separate and creating an ethical barrier.
"This investigation with be thorough, this investigation will be exhaustive, and this investigation will be independent," Schuette said.
Flood said the team would be conducting a thorough investigation.
"This is an investigation I can assure you we're going to open up every door. We're going to ask the tough questions. Those proverbial questions of what did you know and when did you know it," Flood said.
Initially Schuette had declined to investigate the Flint water crisis, but said that in early January new information including the resignation of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality officials had changed his mind.
He did not put a timeline or cost estimate on the investigations, though he said he was in discussions with legislative leaders regarding a possible need for additional appropriation to fund the operation.
Emily Lawler is a Capitol reporter on MLive's statewide Impact Team. You can reach her at elawler@mlive.com, subscribe to her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter: @emilyjanelawler.