Ex-Snyder Aide's Wrongful Prosecution Lawsuit Dismissed

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 06/02/2025) The federal lawsuit alleging wrongful prosecution against a former aide to ex-Republican Gov. Rick Snyder over the Flint water crisis has been dismissed.

The aide, Rich Baird, told MIRS Monday that he's weighing his appeal options and hopes to make a decision within the next two weeks.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed," he said about the dismissal. "I don't believe that absolute governmental immunity should apply to individuals who clearly are pursuing a political vendetta as opposed to upholding the law of their office."

Baird said he also will testify before the Michigan House Weaponization of State Government Committee later this year to share the evidence he believes shows how "egregious the charges" from the Flint water crisis were.

"Whether you're a Democrat or Republican, individuals should never abuse their powers to trample on the rights of citizens just because they're on the opposite end of the aisle," Baird said.

The Attorney General's office has not responded to a request for comment.

U.S. District Judge Robert White's Friday decision arguably means Attorney General Dana Nessel can keep her promise to release her office's comprehensive report on the failed Flint water prosecution as she previously indicated the delay was due to the pending litigation.

White ruled that Nessel and lead Flint water crisis prosecutors, former solicitor general Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, are entitled to prosecutorial and qualified immunity from Baird's suit.

Baird was one of nine former state and city officials, including Snyder, who were indicted in 2021 by a one-person grand jury – a process Baird alleged the AG's office used to avoid a preliminary examination that would test the state's evidence.

"This theory of liability, though, runs smack into prosecutorial immunity," White's 20-page opinion reads. "The initiation of criminal proceedings 'falls squarely within the aegis of absolute prosecutorial immunity.' … And so does a prosecutor's decision regarding the method or manner of initiating criminal charges."

The Michigan Supreme Court's decision to invalidate the one-person grand jury "does not render prosecutorial immunity unavailable," White noted.

In a 6-0 opinion, the Supreme Court held the two statutes allow a one-person grand jury to "investigate, subpoena witnesses, and issue arrest warrants," but it does not allow the judge to issue indictments.