By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – The director of the Missouri's Workers' Compensation Division is out, and she says she was forced out.
A labor department spokeswoman says Pat Secrest submitted her resignation Thursday. But Secrest told The Associated Press that it was not her idea to leave.
Secrest says she was forced out, but declined to say why -- noting only that she serves at the pleasure of the governor.
Gov. Matt Blunt named her as director in January 2005. Secrest says her final day officially is June 22nd, but she effectively was gone as of last night.
She is being replaced on an interim basis by Lucas Boling, the division's deputy director.
Before heading the workers' compensation division, Secrest represented part of St. Louis County in the Missouri House. She is from Manchester.