In today's Think Progress website, they report on the published study that looked into the causes of Flint's water woes.
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2016/03/23/3762859/flint-investigation-s...

To say that it is breathtaking would be an understatement.

Kickback: The payment of something of value to a recipient as compensation or reward for providing favorable treatment to another party.

A kickback in the form of money, gifts, credit, or anything of value may be viewed as a corrupt practice that interferes with an employee or official’s ability to make unbiased decisions. - Investopedia

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