Per the Detroit News, “Flint residents cry ‘foul’ over proposed $202M attorney fees. Roughly 40 attorneys filed a motion late Monday in Detroit area federal district court formally requesting the 32% share of the $641.25 million settlement, arguing that they had invested thousands of hours over a half-decade to achieve justice for Flint residents affected by the city’s lead-tainted water. U.S. District Judge Judith Levy will decide whether the proposed legal fees are reasonable or should be lowered.” I have no problem with attorneys getting paid a reasonable amount for their services, however, I am sure my definition of reasonable is not the same as the attorney’s definition.
The Detroit News also reported today, “Judge William Crawford said Tuesday he plans to decide within seven days whether to allow misdemeanor charges against former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to be tried in Genesee County…. Brian Lennon, the former Republican governor’s attorney, said during a Tuesday hearing that Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office hadn’t established Genesee County as the proper venue. Lennon has argued that the charges, which focus on the Flint water crisis, should be dismissed because the alleged acts of wrongdoing occurred in Ingham County, where Snyder’s executive office was located… However, Bryant Osikowicz, Michigan assistant attorney general, countered that Lennon’s arguments were premature. When the grand jury’s records are released, questions about the venue would be answered, Osikowicz said.’ I have said many times that this case and the cases against others, such as Nick Lyon, have no business in criminal court. These cases were already resolved in the above settlment of $641 million. If these cases continue, the State is in the unique position of having to pay for both the prosecution attorneys and also the defendents’ attorneys because the defendents were employees of the state at the time. The attorneys’ fees will be funded by all taxpayers. The only people who seem to be winning in the Flint water crisis are the attorneys.
Governor Whitmer and the Republican led state legislature have an aversion to working together to the detriment of the citizens of the state. Today the governor signed at least $2.5 billion in supplemental funding into law on Tuesday but vetoed a bill that barred the Department of Health and Human Services from closing in-person learning or canceling high school sports. She also applied her line item veto to delete $652 million because the Republican led legislators did not work with the governor’s office on the legislation. I will never understand. Where is Tip O’Neill and Ronald Reagan when we need them?
Congratulations to Juwan Howard, who in his second season, was named the Big Ten coach of the year on Tuesday after guiding the Wolverines to their first conference regular-season title in seven years. He was also named Sporting News national coach of the year.
Stay safe. Wear your mask properly. Social distance. Wash your hands regularly. Schedule your vaccine.
Quote of the Day: “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers” Dick the Butcher, from Shakespeare’s Heny VI.
Orchid of the Day: Juwan Howard. See above.
Onion of the Day: The lawyers in the Flint water crisis.