Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Andres Ayala has resigned, sources familiar with the situation and the governor's office told the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters.
The resignation comes just days after the DMV promised to make good after a glitch in its new computer system caused police to wrongly pull over drivers for having suspended registrations.
Ayala stepped down after holding the job for a year and Gov. Dannel Malloy, D-Connecticut, released a statement to NBC Connecticut, praising the former commissioner for his service and thanking him for his work.
“The Commissioner is a dedicated public servant to Connecticut, and I appreciate all of the work he’s done in so many different capacities both at the local and state levels," Malloy said in a statement to NBC Connecticut. "I want to thank him for his service and for his unwavering dedication to improving our state.”
The DMV admitted that a bug in the agency's $26 million computer modernization caused the problem, which falsely indicated that drivers did not have auto insurance when they really did.
“Andres Ayala tried his best at a very difficult time for the DMV. I believe he put in great effort, but unfortunately the challenges were far greater than anticipated. During his time in the state senate Ayala was a dedicated lawmaker who always worked hard to make sure the voices of his constituents were heard at the Capitol. I wish him the best in all future endeavors,” Senate Minority Leader, Len Fasano, said in a statement.
Long lines at Connecticut DMV branches still greet Rick Paczosa often. Paczosa gets cars registered for a Massachusetts dealership.
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"Thank God I get paid by the hour...when I have to go to Connecticut I always cringe when I have to go to Connecticut," Paczosa told NBC Connecticut.
Malloy expects to announce a new commissioner by the end of the week.
Len Besthoff contributed to this report.
