Former director challenges firing

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:27:38 -0400

The former executive administrator of the State Health Plan, who was abruptly fired last week, challenged his removal in a letter released today.

George C. Stokes said the two legislative leaders who effectively fired him gave "invalid, inaccurate and misleading" about the plan's finances, and failed to follow proper procedure in removing him from the position, Dan Kane reports.

"I know for certain that the State Health Plan was in no jeopardy whatsoever and there was absolutely no need for the precipitous action they took," Stokes said in the letter, which was released by his attorney, James E. Ferguson II of Charlotte.

Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand and House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman caused Stokes to be fired after sending a letter to state Insurance Commissioner Jim Long seeking Stokes' removal. The two leaders said that they had received information showing that the plan's finances had swung from $50 million in the black to $65 million in the red.

They said the change in the plan's fortunes could mean higher premiums for those on the plan next year. They also said that legislative staff had a difficult time getting information about the plan's finances.

More after the jump.

James Ferguson II

Former director challenges firing