CHARLESTON, S.C. - The state Transportation Commission chairman has called for the agency's director to resign because of financial and employee morale concerns.

But Transportation Department head Elizabeth Mabry, who has held the post for eight years, called the some of the claims "unsubstantiated and false," and said it's not uncommon to find employees with low morale in an agency with 5,000 workers.

Commission chairman Tee Hooper, who was appointed by Gov. Mark Sanford two years ago, sent a letter to Mabry on Feb. 17 saying agency workers had complained to him about several issues recently.

He said the employees claimed several Chevrolet Tahoes had been bought, given to high-level employees for personal use and had private license tags instead of state tags.

Other employees told Hooper that the recent departure of two high-level employees prompted them to question whether they had been "pushed out" for expressing unpopular opinions.

"I know you have a lot of support from many legislators and several commissioners," Hooper wrote in a letter obtained by The (Charleston) Post and Courier. "I don't have the authority to ask you to step down, but if I did, as a result of the facts, I would be asking you now."

Mabry said it was "extremely offensive" Hooper suggested employees were using work vehicles for personal use. She also said Hooper's financial concerns reflect his inexperience.

"He's been here less than two years," Mabry said.

Hooper wrote that the agency had failed to claim $145 million in federal money that it was entitled in January, but Mabry said the agency draws money from the federal government only when it has a project in need of funding.

Sanford's spokesman Will Folks said the governor has encouraged all his appointees to take a closer look at agencies, and the "DOT doesn't maximize every dollar."

The highway commission voted late last year to recommend a $30 user fee for state motorists. The money would be used to help maintain state roads.

Folks said if an agency is going to ask legislators to impose a new fee on taxpayers, that agency must be "absolutely sure that they are using resources to the best of their abilities."

"The governor supports his (Hooper's) actions and his decision to send the letter," Folks said. "A lot of explaining needs to be done. If all these items are accurate, the governor will look very hard at his (Hooper's) recommendation for her to step down."

Sanford could ask Mabry to resign, but she could only be forced out by a majority vote from the seven-member commission.

Commissioner Bob Harrell Sr. said if the group voted, "it would be a lopsided vote in favor of her staying."