The embattled son of a prominent lobbyist has resigned from the Walker administration after a controversy over his hiring led to a demotion earlier this week.

A spokesman for Gov. Scott Walker confirmed Thursday that Brian Deschane resigned after the governor took away his $81,500-a-year job with the Department of Commerce.

Deschane, 27, was officially sent back to his old job Wednesday with the Department of Regulation and Licensing, which carries a salary of $64,728 a year. DRL officials said he never showed up.

Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said the governor had no comment on Deschane's resignation. Deschane did not immediately return calls or emails seeking comment.

Despite a thin resume, Commerce hired Deschane as its administrator of environmental and regulatory services, a job that supervises 76 employees and oversees storage tank regulations and environmental cleanups.

Despite having no college degree or discernible experience in the field, Deschane was chosen over a former DRL secretary to replace a 25-year state employee with a degree in chemical engineering and an extensive resume. The disparity led critics to conclude his hiring was political payback.