CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The head of the largest professional organization of real estate appraisers in North Carolina said Monday he was appalled a woman whose license was suspended for inflating property values has been appointed to the state appraisal board.

Hector Ingram said the appointment of Lauriette West-Hoff of Durham to the North Carolina Appraisal Board sends a "very poor message" to home appraisers and the public. He said appraisers have already come under fire for their role in the housing market meltdown.

"Frankly, it's irritated a lot of our members and a lot of other appraisers who are not members of our group," said Ingram, president of the 650-member Appraisal Institute's North Carolina chapter. "At a time when we need to be squeaky clean and above board, you don't appoint someone like that."

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