‘Three Cups’ author’s charity hires new director after Montana probe into mismanagement

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HELENA, Mon. — The charity founded by Three Cups of Tea co-author Greg Mortenson has hired a new executive director.

Central Asia Institute officials said in a statement Wednesday that David Starnes will lead the Bozeman-based charity starting later this month.

Starnes now works as the deputy county representative for Pakistan with the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Transition Initiatives.

Mortenson co-founded CAI in 1996 to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan and promote girls’ education in the region.

Mortenson stepped aside as the executive director as part of a settlement last year with the Montana attorney general office. The state was investigating allegations that Mortenson mismanaged the charity.

CAI officials say Mortenson will remain on staff and work primarily with overseas programs, relationships and fundraising.

16:03ET 06-02-13