Mecklenburg County DSS director loses job

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Mecklenburg County DSS director Mary Wilson is out of a job.

County leaders fired her.  They don't have to give many details because it's a personnel matter, but they say they had "multiple meetings" about Wilson over the years.

Her department's had one controversy after another.  Many say Wilson gave political favors, hiring at least three people with prominent ties:  Judge Yvonne Mims Evans's daughter, CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe's daughter, and Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx's wife (in that case, paying her $100,000 for a special assistant job the county posted for just one day).

Then, DSS couldn't account for more than $100,000 involving a program for needy children, and two people faced criminal charges.

But Tracy Bess doesn't worry about whether the county was right to fire Wilson.  She worries about having help job hunting and day care for her daughter, Destiny.  Others who rely on DSS expect better.  Chiquita Lester said, "If they're going to abuse the system and not help the people, yeah, she should be let go."

Eyewitness News is formally requesting the termination letter and a look at any disciplinary actions taken against Wilson.  Eyewitness News was told Wilson plans to appeal her firing and that she has ten work days to do so.

WSOC