PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pennsylvania Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander, who lived in Rhode Island and was paid for travel costs during his employment, has resigned.

The announcement came from Gov. Tom Corbett’s office Friday morning and Deputy Secretary Bev Mackereth will take over as acting secretary.

Alexander was criticized in last year, when it was revealed that he wasn’t a Pennsylvania resident, despite holding a high-ranking state job and was reimbursed for travel costs, as well as often working a four-day week according to NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.

The position is the top job in the Public Welfare department and operates under a budget of more than $26 million, according to Corbett.

“Secretary Alexander has been a tremendous asset in prioritizing our funding and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in our welfare programs,” Corbett said in a statement Friday. “He has saved millions of dollars in making our programs more efficient and effective, while still allowing us to deliver core services to those who need it most in Pennsylvania.”

The statement says Alexander is leaving to pursue private-sector opportunities and spend more time with his family in Rhode Island.

• Listen to NewsRadio 1020 KDKA’s coverage from December:

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