FLINT (AP) — A federal judge has disqualified himself from handling a lawsuit over Flint’s lead-tainted water because he worked in the city for four months and drank the water.
The state of Michigan raised concerns, saying Judge Mark Goldsmith and staff could become parties in class-action lawsuits over the water.
Goldsmith served at the Flint federal courthouse for a brief period in 2014 when the city was using water from the Flint River.
The water wasn’t being treated for corrosion.
As a result, lead leached from old plumbing.
Goldsmith is now in Detroit.
Goldsmith said he has no bias against the state or Flint, but he agreed last week to give up a case.
The Natural Resources Defense Council and American Civil Liberties Union are suing for new pipes for Flint residents.
