LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan attorney general's office announced on Tuesday that the state prosecution of former Governor Rick Snyder and other officials involved in the Flint water scandal has come to a close. This announcement follows a decision by the Michigan Supreme Court to decline hearing appeals of a lower court's dismissal of misdemeanor charges against Snyder, effectively closing the door on criminal prosecutions for the government officials involved, according to prosecutors.

The Michigan Supreme Court had previously rejected prosecutors' last-chance effort to revive criminal charges in September. In an uncommon move, the attorney general's office had utilized a one-judge grand jury to present evidence and return indictments against nine individuals, including Snyder. However, the Supreme Court ruled the process unconstitutional last year, resulting in the invalidation of the charges.

One of the charges brought against Snyder was willful neglect of duty, which was dismissed along with the other indictments. The Supreme Court did not address a separate appeal by prosecutors in September due to a different timetable for that case.

The Flint water scandal began when managers appointed by Gov. Snyder changed the source of Flint's water to the Flint River in 2014. However, the water was not properly treated, leading to the contamination of the city's water system with lead for 18 months. Some experts have linked a fatal outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in 2014-15 to the switch in water sources.

By 2015, Flint was reconnected to a regional water system and has been compliant with lead standards for the past seven years, according to regulators.

While Gov. Snyder acknowledged that the state government mishandled the water switch and the role of regulators, his lawyers have maintained that his conduct did not amount to a criminal offense. The prosecution team expressed disappointment in the Michigan Supreme Court's decision, conveying their sorrow for the people of Flint.

The prosecution team also stated that they anticipate releasing a comprehensive report next year, providing a detailed account of their efforts and decisions related to the Flint water scandal.