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Press Release Published: Oct 12, 2017

Gowdy, Cummings Request Snyder Resolve Discrepancies in Flint Testimony

WASHINGTON – Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) sent a letter to Governor Rick Snyder (R-MI) requesting that he clarify, amend or supplement his previous testimony before the Committee regarding when he first learned about the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Flint, Michigan. 

The letter requests a response no later than October 25, 2017.

Excerpts from the letter:

“Mr. Hollins’s account of when you became aware of the disease cases is different from your testimony to the Committee. In order to resolve this discrepancy in recollection, please supply the Committee with any additional relevant information you have concerning the date upon which you first learned of the Legionnaire’s disease.”

“If necessary, you may also choose to amend or supplement your testimony.  In the interest of resolving this matter expeditiously, provide a response no later than October 25, 2017.”

“Under 18 U.S.C. § 1621, a witness commits perjury if the witness, ‘having taken an oath. . . ., willfully and contrary to such oath states or subscribes any material matter which he does not believe to be true.'”

Full text of the letter can be viewed here.

Background:

  • The Committee held three hearings in February 2016 and March 2016, examining the federal response to high levels of lead found in the drinking water in Flint, MI. 
  • Governor Snyder testified before the Committee in March 2016 that he did not learn of the outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in Flint, Michigan until January 2016.
  • On October 6, 2017, Snyder aide Harvey Hollins III provided testimony stating he made Governor Snyder aware of the outbreak in December of 2015.