COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) — The deputy director of the South Carolina Election Commission has been terminated following an investigation into alleged improper conduct, marking the second firing within the agency in a week.

Paige Salonich was terminated effective Sept. 18 for committing several policy violations, including using inappropriate language toward her colleagues and placing an “unauthorized device” in an agency meeting room, according to a copy of a Sept. 22 separation letter obtained by News 2.

Salonich’s firing comes after a Human Resources investigation revealed that she “maliciously used profane and abusive language” and raised her voice at leadership during an outburst on Sept. 17 that left “other employees visibly shaken, created an unprofessional environment, and undermined the Commission’s ability to conduct business in an orderly and respectful manner,” the letter stated.

Salonich was allegedly recorded on agency security cameras placing an unauthorized device in a meeting room that same day. Officials have not specified what the device was, but unidentified sources told The State it was a voice-activated digital recorder.

“This act constitutes the unauthorized use and misuse of state property and raises serious concerns regarding trust, confidentiality, and workplace integrity,” the letter stated.

The firing is the latest development in a leadership shakeup happening among the state’s top election officials.

Howard Knapp was ousted as executive director on Sept. 18 due to a “desire for new leadership,” according to a previous statement from Chairman Dennis Shedd.

That decision came as the election commission faced pressure from the Justice Department to release its voter rolls, which contain sensitive information, including driver’s license numbers and Social Security numbers.

A Calhoun County woman sued to stop the release in early September, citing concerns about her privacy.

A Circuit Court judge initially blocked the agency from handing over the data of the state’s approximately 3.3 million registered voters, but the state Supreme Court reversed the decision shortly after.

With South Carolina scheduled to hold municipal elections in November, a spokesperson for the commission said these personnel matters would not impact the agency’s ability to administer future elections.

“We remain fully focused on ensuring fair and secure elections for South Carolina voters,” the spokesperson continued.

This story is developing and may be updated.