After looking into whether the S.C. Public Service Commission’s executive director, Bruce F. Duke, misstated his credentials, the agency has referred the matter to the state’s human resources department.

PSC chairman Randy Mitchell said Thursday that the PSC has concluded its investigation and turned it over to the Office of Human Resources but would not comment on the findings.

Mitchell said Duke “has done an outstanding job for us,” and that the personnel matters are confidential.

Michael Sponhour, a state Budget and Control Board spokesman who also speaks for the human resources department, confirmed that it had been asked to look into “a personnel matter at the PSC,” but would provide no other details.

The PSC regulates utilities and helps set prices for utility services. PSC members appointed Duke to executive director in January, after he had served as deputy executive director and controller.

There had been questions raised about whether Duke had misstated his academic credentials and military-service records, Mitchell said.

USC records show that Duke has a bachelor’s degree in political science and is working on a doctoral degree in that field.

Military records show that Duke served in the U.S. Marines close to 17 months, between July 31, 1975, and Dec. 13, 1976.

Duke did not respond to requests for comment.

Former commissioner James “Buddy” Atkins said Thursday that Duke offered the PSC his resignation when questions about his academic credentials surfaced before he was named executive director. Atkins said the PSC kept Duke aboard because of his good work.

Atkins, who left the PSC earlier this year, said, “Bruce Duke is one of the best things that ever happened to the commission. ... He needs to be credited for that.”

Mitchell said the agency has looked into Duke’s credentials on two occasions. The first time involved academic credentials. Mitchell declined to discuss specifics, but the agency concluded the “allegations that were brought were unfounded.”

Questions about Duke’s military record were part of a second, more recent investigation, Mitchell said. He declined to provide details.

Reach McWilliams at (803) 771-8308 or jmcwilliams@thestate.com.