East Valley Institute of Technology files lawsuit against Adelante Healthcare over lease agreement

The East Valley Institute of Technology, known as EVIT, has filed a lawsuit against Adelante Healthcare over a disputed lease agreement.

An audit last year found that the deal — signed in 2011 — led to EVIT being paid millions of dollars below market rate, and was never approved by the school’s governing board.

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East Valley Institute of Technology discovers 2011 lease that may have led to loss of millions

Ignacio Ventura

The East Valley Institute of Technology discovered a lease signed back in 2011 may have led to the loss of millions of dollars in rent. The revelation of this lease has led the current administration to refer the matter to state and federal authorities.

Adelante, on the other hand, believes the lease agreement with the Mesa vocational school is legal and says it will defend itself in court.

“So what we know is that both governing boards of Adelante and EVIT participated in this partnership that was being established and that, yes, the lease was entered into by both parties," said Pedro Cons, Adelante’s CEO.

In a written statement, Cons says the lawsuit “jeopardizes health care for tens of thousands of Mesa residents and a quality education for scores of much-needed health care professionals.”

“Unfortunately, you know, one party has taken a stance, and we're in the media and in my opinion, in such a negative way, and we would love to let the community know that we're here for our community members," Cons said.