SA official has theft charges downgraded

A South Australian public official who was charged with theft after a probe by the state's corruption watchdog has had his charges downgraded.

Michael William King now faces 22 counts of failing to act honestly as a public sector employee and eight of unlawful possession after prosecutors downgraded theft charges in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The allegations against the 45-year-old Department of Transport worker relate to the misuse of public credit cards and he will return to court on January 23.