CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A West Virginia University lawyer involved in the Heather Bresch scandal has left his post.

Thursday was Alex Macia's last day as the school's vice president of legal affairs, university spokeswoman Becky Lofstead confirmed Monday.

Macia did not return a phone message seeking comment on Monday, but a news release from his former law firm, Spilman Thomas & Battle, said Macia would be returning to the firm's Charleston office on Aug. 11.

Macia attended an October meeting where top university administrators decided to award Bresch - Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter - a degree she did not earn.

He was one of several administrators demoted in the wake of the degree scandal. In May, officials announced that Macia no longer would hold the title of general counsel, but would continue as the school's vice president of legal affairs. 

Macia worked in that capacity until the end of the day Thursday on a case involving former WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez's $4 million settlement with the university, Lofstead said.

In the aftermath of the Bresch scandal, WVU President Mike Garrison stepped down after calls from students, faculty and staff to do so. Under an exit agreement reached in July with the school's Board of Governors, Garrison will remain a university employee until Aug. 31. Until then, he will serve as an adviser to interim President Peter Magrath, who took over Friday.

Craig Walker, Garrison's chief of staff, also will remain with the university through the end of the month to help with Magrath's transition, Lofstead said.

Macia previously served in Gov. Bob Wise's administration as general counsel and chief of staff. He also was the governor's representative on several state boards.

Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com or 348-1240.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A West Virginia University lawyer involved in the Heather Bresch scandal has left his post.

Thursday was Alex Macia's last day as the school's vice president of legal affairs, university spokeswoman Becky Lofstead confirmed Monday.

Macia did not return a phone message seeking comment on Monday, but a news release from his former law firm, Spilman Thomas & Battle, said Macia would be returning to the firm's Charleston office on Aug. 11.

Macia attended an October meeting where top university administrators decided to award Bresch - Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter - a degree she did not earn.

He was one of several administrators demoted in the wake of the degree scandal. In May, officials announced that Macia no longer would hold the title of general counsel, but would continue as the school's vice president of legal affairs. 

Macia worked in that capacity until the end of the day Thursday on a case involving former WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez's $4 million settlement with the university, Lofstead said.

In the aftermath of the Bresch scandal, WVU President Mike Garrison stepped down after calls from students, faculty and staff to do so. Under an exit agreement reached in July with the school's Board of Governors, Garrison will remain a university employee until Aug. 31. Until then, he will serve as an adviser to interim President Peter Magrath, who took over Friday.

Craig Walker, Garrison's chief of staff, also will remain with the university through the end of the month to help with Magrath's transition, Lofstead said.

Macia previously served in Gov. Bob Wise's administration as general counsel and chief of staff. He also was the governor's representative on several state boards.

Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com or 348-1240.