Schroeder returning to Legislative Audit Council

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The former, decades-long director of the Legislative Audit Council is returning to the agency as interim director.

The agency announced in a release Monday that George Schroeder is interim director, effective immediately. He replaces Thomas Bardin Jr., who died Saturday in Beaufort after going on a morning run.

Schroeder retired in 2009 after 33 years as director of the Legislature’s auditing arm. He was appointed the council’s first director in 2009 and served nine terms.

The agency conducts independent audits that legislators request of state agencies and programs.

In March, Gov. Nikki Haley named Schroeder state inspector general after creating the post by executive order. Schroeder quietly resigned seven weeks later amid frustrations about setting up the office and the operation’s independence.