BETHESDA, Md. — Alexandria resident Jarrod Agen, 43, faces up to 15 years in prison after being indicted on felony perjury charges connected to his time as Chief-of-Staff to former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.
Agen works in suburban Maryland as Vice President of Communications and lead spokesman for Bethesda-based Lockheed Martin, a large defense and aerospace government contractor.
Agen is also a former Communications Director for Vice President Mike Pence.
Agen appeared virtually for his arraignment from a Flint, Michigan jail. His attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Agen did not speak during the arraignment.
The charge against Agen consists of one count of perjury during an investigative subpoena examination. He was interviewed by an investigator on February 11, 2017 in connection with the Flint water crisis.
That interview came 10 days after Agen had been appointed to serve as Communications Director for Vice President Mike Pence.
Trent Perrotto, Global Media Relations director for Lockheed Martin confirmed to WUSA9 that Agen is still employed by the company. He added, "In general, it is our practice not to comment on personal ongoing legal matters."
Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder was also arrested and charged with two counts of willful neglect of duty. A total of nine people face criminal charges in the investigation into the Flint Water Crisis.
Agen faces a pre-trial hearing February 18th. The conditions of his release included surrender of his passport and restriction to travel only between Virginia, Maryland and DC.
On Thursday, Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy announced that after 12 months of grand jury proceedings nine individuals in total have been indicted on a total of 42 counts related to a series of alleged actions and inactions that created the Flint Water Crisis.
Here is who was charged:
- Jarrod Agen– Former Director of Communications and Former Chief of Staff, Executive Office of Gov. Rick Snyder
- One count of perjury – a 15-year felony
- Gerald Ambrose– Former City of Flint Emergency Manager
- Four counts of misconduct in office – each a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
- Richard Baird– Former Transformation Manager and Senior Adviser, Executive Office of Gov. Snyder
- One count of perjury – a 15-year felony
- One count of official misconduct in office – a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
- One count of obstruction of justice – a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
- One count of extortion – a 20-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
Credit: Gennesse County Jail
Top (L-R): Howard Croft, Richard Baird, and Jarrod Agen. Middle (L-R): Nicolas Lyons, Richard Snyder, and Eden Wells. Bottom (L-R): Nancy Peeler, Darnell Earley, and Gerald Ambrose.
- Howard Croft– Former Director of the City of Flint Department of Public Works
- Two counts of willful neglect of duty – each a one-year misdemeanor and/or $1,000 fine
- Darnell Earley– Former City of Flint Emergency Manager
- Three counts of misconduct in office – each a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
- Nicolas Lyon– Former Director, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Nine counts of involuntary manslaughter – each a 15-year felony and/or $7,500 fine
- One count of willful neglect of duty – a one-year misdemeanor and/or $1,000 fine
- Nancy Peeler – Current Early Childhood Health Section Manager, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Two counts of misconduct in office – each a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
- One count of willful neglect of duty – a one-year misdemeanor and/or $1,000 fine
- Richard Snyder – Former Governor of Michigan
- Two counts of willful neglect of duty – each a one-year misdemeanor and/or $1,000 fine
- Eden Wells– Former Chief Medical Executive, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Nine counts of involuntary manslaughter – each a 15-year felony and/or $7,500 fine
- Two counts of misconduct in office – each a five-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
- One count of willful neglect of duty – a one-year misdemeanor and/or $1,000 fine