A top-ranking state transportation official who poked fun at the governor on a satirical compact disc of songs he produced has been demoted for his actions.

Michael Covington, one of four deputy directors with the state Department of Transportation, was given a $5,300 pay cut and demoted June 16 from the job he held for six months.

He now works as the department's director of administration, overseeing public relations operations and customer service. Covington has been a state transportation employee for about four years. Before that, he was a lobbyist in the private sector.

Covington said he has learned his lesson and should have known better than to assume some people would not be able to separate his personal actions from his job with the Transportation Department.

"When you're in a position of authority, you've got to be very careful about any jokes, sarcasm or comments you might make in the context of your position, not in the context they were intended," Covington said.

Songs on the disc included "You're Not Too Bright Yourself," written about state Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, and "The Spelling Song" about Gov. Mark Sanford.

The ditty about Sanford included lines such as, "O" is for out-of-state contributions and "S" is for selling Santee Cooper.

Covington, also a professional musician, produced the CDs in his home recording studio. They were distributed several weeks ago at a private party, mostly attended by lobbyists, to celebrate the end of the legislative session. Some legislators praised Elizabeth Mabry, executive director of the state Transportation Department, for her decision to demote Covington. Others say the move sends a chilling message to all state employees that freedom of speech is not protected in South Carolina, at least not if it is directed toward certain public figures.

"I'm a great believer in free speech, and those folks were just letting off a little steam at a private event. I guess we have to get the party police out all over the state to make sure no state employees are talking about their bosses or making fun of state officials," Altman said.

He said that because the songs were played at a private party and because no state time or money was wasted or involved, Covington's rights were being violated.

Covington wouldn't comment on whether he thought his right to free speech had been violated.

"I want to make it clear that I am not mad at the DOT," he said. "I am thankful I have a job."

Sen. W. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, said Covington is a lucky man. "I think that he crossed the line and if he was in the private sector he would have lost his job."

Ryberg, who had called on Mabry to ensure that such an "outrageous outburst never again occur in public," said Wednesday that he was satisfied that she had taken the proper course of action.

Altman said he was "disappointed in Ms. Mabry's actions" and Ryberg needed to lighten up.

The governor's office had no comment Wednesday. Several weeks ago, the governor said the DOT has "shown a lot of talent for doing a lot of things that have nothing to do with building roads."