Health department whistleblower raised concerns back in 2015

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the Mecklenburg County Health Department continues to deal with its latest scandal, additional emails obtained by Channel 9 show whistleblower and fired health technician Dell Adams started raising his concerns as early as 2015.

[READ MORE: Former health dept. employee says he was fired for being whistleblower]

In April 2015, Adams emailed County Manager Dena Diorio about a "negative situation" in the health department.

In May 2016, the former health technician emailed Commissioner Vilma Leake about a coworker who called black women a derogatory name and about food in a biohazard cooler with HIV specimen.

In July 2016, he emailed Leake about a patient who received an incorrect chlamydia test because of unprofessional behavior in the lab.

"Issues from employees, including Mr. Adams, and others concerning the lab have been identified and looked into extensively over the last year," Health Director Gibbie Harris said in response to questions from Channel 9.

Harris said the concerns and recommendations have been included in a report produced by Navigant, a third party that reviewed the health department.

"You're looking at a health department that has got to gain the trust of the public," Vice Chair Jim Puckett said. Puckett calls Adams' claims troubling and worth investigating.

He wants his fellow commissioners to put together a group of medical professionals to have oversight over the health department and its operations.

Puckett said compared to the rest of the state, Mecklenburg County is in the minority for not having this group of advisors.

He thinks future issues can be prevented by having one

"The rest of the state has to take the advice of defined medical professionals and why we think we don't need advice is beyond me," Puckett said.

Commissioner Matthew Ridenhour is also in favor of changes at the Mecklenburg County Health Department. Ridenhour would like the county to outsource lab sources by potentially partnering with Atrium Health. Ridenhour is also in favor of a separate county board of health.

The county will discuss the health department at a future meeting.

Cox Media Group