CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina health department officials say they've taken over temporarily the leadership reins of a regional managed-care mental health agency after state reviews this year criticized its spending and executive pay habits.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced late Monday its actions involving Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions, the largest of the state's seven such regional agencies.
Audits determined Cardinal spent excessively on salaries and severance for top executives, conferences and Christmas parties. The Cardinal board fired its CEO Richard Topping earlier this month. DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen says Cardinal now must repay to the state $3.8 million in severance to Topping and three other executives who also stepped down.
Cohen also pushed out the current board Monday and told county officials to appoint new members by Dec. 15.
Associated Press
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