Outspoken Official Critical of Delaware's Mental Health System Departs Amid Rumors She Was Forced to Leave

Of course, this could all be a legitimate departure for the reasons given. But nobody is talking on the matter, and it looks suspicious. As seen in this report.

An outspoken and well-respected critic of the state agencies responsible for treating the mentally ill -- including the Delaware Psychiatric Center -- is out.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Delaware, or NAMI, longtime executive director, Rita Marocco, is leaving her position with the advocacy group, "to pursue other interests."

For many patients and their families, Marocco was NAMI in Delaware. Marocco said she has yet to receive official confirmation of her status with NAMI-DE.

As she was preparing to testify Thursday night before a legislative committee investigating patient abuse and retaliation at DPC, several lawmakers told her they'd received a letter from NAMI-DE, which stated she was "leaving NAMI to pursue other interests."

Marocco has repeatedly stressed the need for systemic improvements at the state hospital, which caused several lawmakers to comment about the timing and possible motivations behind her dismissal.

"I've heard rumors that Secretary [Vince] Meconi has been involved, but I have nothing to substantiate that," Marocco told The News Journal.

But Meconi, secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, said in an e-mail to The News Journal: "I have no information about Ms. Marocco's employment status. I would suggest you check with NAMI."

The News Journal sought to interview all 22 members of the NAMI-DE board of directors. Most refused to comment, or never returned phone calls.

"I'm not at liberty to talk about it," said board member Chuck Tarver.

"She wasn't fired," said board member Mary Berger, who added, "I don't feel comfortable answering questions."

Board member Julius Meisel said Meconi wasn't behind and changes to Marocco's employment status.

"That's bunk," he said. "This is an internal matter. I'm not going to comment further."

John P. Smoots, another board member, said nobody at the state orchestrated Marocco's departure.

"That's absolutely false," he said.

Edward N. McNally, president of the NAMI-DE board of directors, said "the board and Rita had a difference of opinion with regards to management of NAMI's housing operations, particularly our 55 group homes.

"As a result, when we could not reach an agreement on that part, she asked for a severance package and we worked it out."

Marocco presents a different version: "I did not receive the letter from the board, and I have not heard from them as of yet."

McNally said Meconi, whom Marocco has asked to resign, had nothing to do with the board's decision.

"NAMI-DE completely supports everything Rita had to say about the DPC situation," he said.

McNally sent the letter to the legislative committee investigating DPC because he "wanted everyone to understand about who to get in touch with if they had questions."

"What I was trying to do was head off the rumors," McNally said. "There's no tie to Rita's position on DPC."

Board member Janis Chester, a psychiatrist and past-president of the Psychiatry Society of Delaware, said she never witnessed any conduct by Marocco that could have merited discipline, or possible termination.

"She is NAMI-DE," Chester said. "I always saw her as a role model. I had the pleasure of working with her in a variety of settings. I always thought I should be more like her. She can get her message across in a strong assertive way, without ever being impolite. It's such a loss to NAMI. I hope it's not a loss to the mentally ill in Delaware."

"I joined the board and was recruited there because of Rita," Chester said. "She's really been a beacon and has been devoted and capable and irrepressible as an advocate for the mentally ill."

When The News Journal began investigating conditions at the Delaware Psychiatric Center, exposing cases of patient abuse and allegations of rape, Marocco expressed frustration with DPC administrators. She suggested there were coverups as well as shortcomings.

"It's obvious they're not adhering to any standards known to good-quality care," she said at one point. "What we expect from a psychiatric hospital is that their people work toward providing what's best for the patients in their care. In my opinion, they've come up short."

Asked Friday if she regrets her statements, Marocco said no.

"I've gone over and over it in my mind," she said. "I can't think of a single thing I'd have done differently."