Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. accepted Commerce Director Russell Skousen's resignation Wednesday and replaced him with longtime Consumer Protection Director Francine Giani.

Skousen insists his decision to leave and return to his private law firm full time has nothing to do with his role in abruptly firing Committee of Consumer Services Director Roger Ball in March. Instead, Skousen says, it's a simple matter of money. He needs to make more.

"It boils down to financial issues," Skousen said. "My circumstances are such that I had to go back to the private sector."

As Huntsman's Cabinet member, Skousen earned $88,000 a year, the top of the pay scale. Skousen told Huntsman's transition team members he would need a pay increase. And during the 2005 Legislature, one version of a pay-raise bill the governor backed would have set Skousen's salary at nearly $120,000, a far larger increase than proposed for most other department heads. But lawmakers balked at giving Cabinet members big raises, so Skousen's salary stayed the same.

A former Salt Lake County councilman, Skousen left his elective office when his term ended last year to advise Huntsman. For nearly two years, he advised Huntsman on legal issues during the campaign for governor, led the governor's transition team for policy and ultimately took the job at Commerce.

But the public will most remember him for giving Ball 30 minutes to clean out his desk and picking former telephone company lobbyist Leslie Reberg, a former Salt Lake County employee, to replace him.

"I enjoy politics and I don't enjoy politics. There have been some moments when I haven't enjoyed it too much," Skousen said Wednesday, refusing to elaborate. He still defends his decision to replace the consumer services head. "I know the Roger Ball thing was very controversial. But I still feel it was the right thing to do. Time will tell."

Governor's spokeswoman Tammy Kikuchi said Skousen is not being forced out for his role in the Ball controversy, which drew criticism about Huntsman's commitment to consumers.

Skousen would like to be remembered for less splashy changes. He established a new subdivision of the state's licensing office to accommodate contractors and trades workers. "I've done some things in the department that probably aren't going to get a lot of press but have been probably as significant," Skousen said.

But consumer activist Claire Geddes said Skousen's short legacy will always be tied to Ball. "Other than firing Roger Ball, I don't think he did anything," Geddes said. "His big claim to fame was that he came from [Salt Lake] County - and that was a mess."

Giani is familiar in government circles. She has worked in state government 20 years, beginning as former Gov. Norm Bangerter's spokeswoman eight years. She also served two terms on the Centerville City Council. In her job protecting Utah consumers, Giani has investigated Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Utah and the Academy of Nursing. She will take over Skousen's job immediately.

"She is a dedicated public servant and state government is better off, thanks to her integrity and expertise," Huntsman said in a news release.

Giani was surprised by the promotion. She says the salary for her new job is "not an issue."

"I haven't asked about the salary, and that is a discussion that I will not be having with the governor," Giani said.