State auditors investigate Weems Center finances

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
May 9, 2002
Maurice Kahlmus, acting director of Weems Community Mental Health Center, said today that the staff is carrying on with business as usual despite the fact that Executive Director Emry Kennedy has been suspended and investigators from the state auditor's office called in.
Kennedy was suspended with pay May 1 by a unanimous decision of the Region 10 Commission on Mental Health and Mental Retardation.
The nine-member commission oversees the center. It is made up of one representative from each county in Region 10 Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott and Smith.
The board called a special meeting on May 1, Kahlmus said, after the issues that led to Kennedy's suspension were brought to its attention.
Kennedy said Tuesday that he stands on his record and that there are two sides to every story. He could not be reached for comment this morning.
Dr. Randel Hendrix, executive director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, said Wednesday that state auditors were called to examine the financial integrity of Weems Mental Health Center and determine if there has been any financial impropriety.