LANSING, MI - The City of Flint claims it was acting as an "arm of the state" when decisions were made that led to the city's water crisis.

The claims were made when attorneys representing the city filed notices Friday, May 20, transferring two lawsuits against the city from the Genesee Circuit Court to the state's Court of Claims.

In the notices, the city argues "that at all times in which the city was controlled by an emergency manager appointed by the state, the city was an 'arm of the state' and therefore subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Claims ..."

City officials could not be reached for comment on the transfers.

The notices were filed in lawsuits brought by Erma Vale and Doris Collins.

Vale's suit seeks refunds for those who paid water bills for a product that was unsafe and cancellation of pending charges. Collins' case also stems from payments over the city's unsafe water supply.

The Court of Claims only hears allegations against state agencies.

Christopher Hastings, a professor at Western Michigan University's Cooley Law School, said the move could signify the city's intention to place the liability for the water crisis at the state's feet.

Anna Heaton, a spokeswoman with Gov. Rick Snyder's office, declined to comment on the cases.

However, Hastings said the real benefit of the transfer could come from who would hear the case.

Hastings said the case, if it's allowed to remain in the Court of Claims, would be heard by a judge, rather than a jury.

The city previously filed change of venue motions, arguing that it would be improper for the case to be heard by a Genesee County jury.

Attorneys argued the city would be unable to get a fair trial in the Genesee Circuit Court due to the extensive media coverage the case has received locally and the number of potential jurors who could be included as class members in the lawsuits.

"It's a nice idea," Hastings said of the transfer. "I'm a little surprised they didn't try it earlier."

The lawsuits were filed after the city's drinking water source was switched to the Flint River by a state-appointed emergency manager. The water was not properly treated and cause lead to leach into the city's water system. Elevated blood lead levels were discovered in some of the city's youngest residents.