State News

NC mental health official quits

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: September 26, 2008

SYLVA
A mental health executive has quit after allegations that his family profited from real estate deals.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reported today that Tom McDevitt will step down as CEO of the Smoky Mountain Center on Dec. 31. Board members weren't satisfied with his answers to questions about business with his wife and daughter.
McDevitt also was head of the nonprofit Evergreen Foundation, which managed, sold and leased properties to mental health agencies. His wife's real estate company did business with Evergreen and his daughter worked for the nonprofit.
McDevitt said that he needed to leave because some of the new board members didn't support him.
Smoky Mountain manages mental health care services in 15 western North Carolina counties. McDevitt led Smoky Mountain for 25 years.