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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH / AP) -- The director of South Carolina's unemployment agency has resigned, effective March 1.

Department of Employment and Workforce Director Abraham Turner turned in a hand-written resignation letter to the governor Friday.

In the letter provided to The Associated Press, Turner says he's resigning for personal reasons. His resignation follows questions from legislators stemming from the agency's decision to eliminate one-on-one help for people seeking benefits in 17 rural offices statewide.

Haley says she wishes Turner nothing but the best.

Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey says the agency's former director, John Finan, will return on an interim basis.

Haley picked the former commanding officer of Fort Jackson to lead the troubled agency in May 2011. Turner did not start his new role until September 2011, after retiring from the Army.

House Democratic Leader Rep. Todd Rutherford released a statement Friday saying the DEW has become "an aboslute embarrasment" under Haley.

"Governor Haley  must regain control of her agency before it is too late," said Rutherford. "Millions of South Carolinians depend on this agency to be functional and effective. As it stands today, it is the opposite."