Mower said the governor still believes Carver's expertise in policy management is valuable. "Scott is someone who has great expertise in the criminal justice system, and he will not be working in a policy, not a management, position."

At least one law enforcement association had expressed serious concern over Carver's ability to lead Corrections. It cited examples in the latest audit which detail a corrections official lying to a Utah Highway Patrol trooper to avoid a speeding ticket and another corrections official, convicted of felony drug possession, being kept on the payroll for six months and then being allowed to retire.

"This is the worst audit that I've ever seen on a department," said Kelly Atkinson, executive director for the Utah Fraternal Order of Police.

Atkinson said his group is concerned about the lack of training and also the fact that the corrections officer who lied to a UHP trooper later received a glowing review.

During a hearing of the Legislative Audit Committee, co-chairmen Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, and House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, expressed serious concern about the department's management.

Upon learning of the governor's announcement, Valentine said lawmakers wanted change and were just short of calling for Carver's resignation, which he said is the governor's decision.

"It appeared to us after the audit that there was a need for significant change within the Department of Corrections. It was on multiple levels, and it's not just any one person; it's part of a system that needs to be really changed," Valentine said.

A separate audit has criticized the practice in Corrections and at least two other state agencies where certain employees are allowed to retire and then are rehired back to collect both retirement and pay. The auditors called the practice "double dipping."

Valentine said he was concerned to hear about a corrections officer lying to a trooper, a drug convict still on the payroll, the lack of training and undocumented use of vehicles. "There's just no excuse for that," he said.

Mower said it will be a few weeks before Senate confirmations.

Patterson served as the Rush County attorney in Kansas, as well as legal counsel and chief administrative law judge with the Utah Department of Workforce Services. Patterson is a graduate of Brigham Young University and earned a law degree from Washburn University in Topeka, Kan.

"I am humbled by the trust the governor is showing in my abilities," Patterson said in a statement. "I truly look forward to this new challenge and working with the dedicated men and women at the Department of Corrections."

Last month Valentine and Curtis called for a new audit within a year to find if any changes have been made. Even with Carver's pending replacement, Valentine said he still expects the audit to be conducted and presented to the Legislative Audit Committee.

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E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com