State's director of parole and probation resigns

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James McClain's resignation "was submitted to the governor during a due diligence inquiry into alleged inaccuracies in his resume," according to a statement released by Gov. Mark Sanford's office.

Spokesmen for the governor and the parole agency would not explain why he resigned, nor would they say whether the governor asked him to resign. Will Folks, a spokesman for Sanford, said "the Governor's Office thoroughly vetted the resume that was provided during the appointment process."

Folks said McClain filled out a comprehensive set of forms when he applied to work for Sanford.

"The only references to the military were the United States Air Force, 1963-67 and career Marine Corps, 1974 to 1992," Folks said. "Both of those pieces of information were substantiated."

He said officials checked his driving record, credit record and his criminal record. The information about McClain's experience as a jet aviator and as the spokesman for the Marine Corps came in a resume, submitted later, Folks said.

McClain could not be reached for comment.

Sanford appointed McClain in April as director of the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. He was listed on the agency's Web site as having served as the "United States Marine Corps' director of public affairs" and also as a "tactical jet aviator." Sanford's office also made the same statements in a news release announcing his appointment in April.

When asked last week about McClain's service record, Marine Corps spokesmen told The News he attended flight school but did not complete it and that typically only those who become pilots are called aviators.

McClain told The News last week he was director of public affairs for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at the El Toro Air Station near Irvine, Calif., from 1989-1991. He said he also served as an airborne coordinator of aircraft.

Sanford asked his chief of staff and legal counsel to investigate McClain's background after the newspaper questioned the statements.

Sanford in April compared McClain to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and said McClain's military experience was one factor in his selection. The governor on Friday thanked McClain for his service.

"I commend Jim for the job he has done at PPP over the past five months and I wish him nothing but the best moving forward," Sanford said.

Stephen Birnie, chief of staff for the parole agency, will manage the department until Sanford names a new director, said Will Folks, a spokesman for Sanford.

The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardons supervises about 50,000 offenders placed on probation by the courts or on parole by the parole board. The agency has about 800 employees and a $42 million budget.

According to the agency's Web site, McClain previously worked as senior vice president for global sales and marketing for Spectral Diagnostics.

From 1996 to January of 2001, he worked as director of business development for Roche Diagnostics Corp.