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AG adds special counsel to Flint water probe

Posted at 5:05 AM, Jan 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-25 22:22:40-05

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has named two men who will help his investigation into the Flint water crisis.

Former prosecutor Todd Flood will be a Special Counsel in his Flint water probe. Retired Detroit FBI chief Andrew Arena will also be joining in the investigation. 

“This independent investigation will be exhaustive and thorough. Without fear or favor, I will carry out my responsibility to enforce the laws and protect the families and citizens of Flint," said Schuette in a press release. 

Flood was previously a former assistant prosecutor in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and now has a private practice in southeast Michigan.

Arena was the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Detroit Field Office from 2007 until 2012. He worked in many different jobs in the FBI for more than 20 years and now leads the Detroit Crime Commission.

Ten days ago, Schuette announced he would investigate what-- if any -- state laws were violated in the process that left Flint's drinking water contaminated with lead.

According to published reports, preliminary results do show that the lead levels are dropping since Flint has switched back to Detroit water.

Meanwhile, the whistle blower in all of this is speaking out. EPA inspector Miguel del Toral told ABC News this disaster should have never happened.

Del Toral performed initial tests on the water last spring when a woman called the EPA after her children were diagnosed with lead poisoning. He was stunned to find out the water wasn't being treated to keep the lead out.