ACCESSING CLASSIFIED FILES
Decrypting documents...
Your connection is being monitored
Back to Individuals
medium risk
Brad Wurfel
Former Spokesperson, Michigan DEQ
State communications official who dismissed Flint water concerns
Overview
Brad Wurfel served as the communications director for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality during the Flint water crisis. He publicly dismissed concerns about Flint's water safety and disparaged researchers and residents who raised alarms. Wurfel resigned in December 2015 as the crisis became undeniable and was later charged with misconduct in office.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
DISMISSED CONCERNS: Wurfel publicly mocked and dismissed concerns from Flint residents about their water quality. He told reporters that residents who were worried were being "irresponsible" and that the water met all safety standards.
ATTACKED RESEARCHERS: Wurfel disparaged Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards, who was documenting lead contamination, telling media that Edwards was "just raising his profile" and that his research was not credible.
DISMISSED PEDIATRICIAN: When Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha presented data showing elevated blood lead levels in Flint children, Wurfel's office initially dismissed her findings as causing "near-hysteria."
CRIMINAL CHARGES: In 2021, Wurfel was charged with two counts of misconduct in office and one count of extortion for allegedly threatening to withhold state resources from a county health officer who raised concerns.
RESIGNATION: Wurfel resigned in December 2015 after Governor Snyder acknowledged the crisis and appointed an advisory task force.
Related Investigations (1)
Sources & Documentation
3 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Detroit Free Press: MDEQ Spokesman Dismissed Water Concerns (2016)
Michigan Radio: Wurfel Charged in New Flint Investigation (2021)
Bridge Michigan: How State Officials Dismissed Flint Warnings (2016)
Personal Information
Education
Key Timeline
2015-02
Began publicly dismissing Flint water quality concerns
2015-07
Attacked credibility of Marc Edwards and EPA researcher Miguel Del Toral
2015-09
Dismissed Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha's findings on elevated blood lead levels
2015-12
Resigned from MDEQ amid growing crisis
2021-01-14
Charged with misconduct in office and extortion