RALEIGH, N.C. -- The former chief executive of North Carolina's state employee health insurance plan says he was fired unlawfully and that legislators gave "inaccurate" information while removing him.

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George Stokes was fired last week as head of the State Health Plan. House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman and Senate counterpart Tony Rand wanted him gone because they said the plan's finances fell $115 million short of expectations.

     

Stokes said in a statement Friday that his projections were based on "solid information and careful analysis."

     

The plan serves 650,000 state employees, teachers, retirees and their dependents. Lawmakers said the shortfall could raise insurance premiums in the future.

     

Stokes said he's hired an attorney in hopes of clearing his name without going through litigation.