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Pistons Owner To Match Up To $1 Million In Flint Telethon Donations

FLINT, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - A telethon underway to help Flint residents amid the Michigan city's crisis with lead-tainted water features a major financial commitment from Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores.

The Flint native says he'll match up to $1 million in donations made during Tuesday's telethon hosted by Detroit television station WDIV-TV. More than $40,000 had been raised as of Tuesday morning.

The telethon, called "Flint Water Crisis: 4 Our Families #FlintKids," benefits the Community Foundation of Greater Flint and its Flint Child Health and Development Fund. Localized versions are airing on other stations.

If consumed, lead can cause developmental delays and learning disabilities, doctors say. There are a number of efforts taking place to boost Flint education, health and support programs.

Gores earlier pledged to raise $10 million to help the city.

Meantime Tuesday, Former Flint Emergency Manager Darnell Earley was in Washington D.C. deflecting blame for the water crisis.

Earley, testifying before Congress, claimed he was grossly misled by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the Environmental Protection Agency. He said there were signs the water was bad, but nothing to the indicate the level of lead contamination.

[More on the Flint water crisis].

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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