Staff Report
Published Aug. 14, 2009
S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster and House leaders are calling on the state’s Ethics Commission to investigate allegations that Gov. Mark Sanford inappropriately used state planes and violated state law by flying first class.
Sanford has been under fire since he admitted having a yearlong affair with a woman from Argentina.
Recent reports allege Sanford used state planes for personal trips and when flying commercially, booked first-class seats, which state law prohibits.
On Thursday, McMaster sent a letter to Ethics Commission Executive Director Herbert Hayden.
“Recent reports have suggested there may be violations of the State Ethics Act by South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford,” McMaster said. “This is to request the South Carolina Ethics Commission to investigate these allegations involving the use of state planes and any other potential violations of the State Ethics Act. Proviso 89.27 provides that ‘any and all aircraft owned or operated by agencies of the state government shall be used only for official business.’ It also provides that the logs and signatures thereto ‘shall be maintained as part of the permanent record of any agency.’”
Sanford has said his travel records have been taken out of context and noted that he has flown less than his predecessors.
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House Speaker Bobby Harrell agreed that the Ethics Commission needs to investigate Sanford’s alleged ethical and legal violations.
“Until very recently, Gov. Sanford’s disappointing actions have been just that, disappointing. But now, real tangible evidence has come to light that suggests that several serious ethical — and possibly illegal — acts may have been committed by Gov. Sanford,” Harrell said.
“These are serious claims, and we must handle them in the most professional manner possible. We must not allow grandstanding or politically motivated maneuvers.”
After an investigation, Harrell said, the House can determine the appropriate course of action, which could include censuring the governor, accepting an impeachment resolution or determining no action is necessary.
“In the impeachment process, the House decides only if there is sufficient evidence that serious crimes or misconduct has occurred, and, by a two-thirds vote, can only issue charges. It would then be the Senate’s responsibility to try the case,” Harrell said.
The House Republican Caucus also called for an investigation into Sanford’s travel.
“Now that new allegations have surfaced related to the governor’s commercial travel and his use of state airplanes, a thorough investigation needs to be conducted to determine whether any laws have been broken,” said Majority Leader Kenny Bingham, R-Cayce.
“Gov. Sanford’s inappropriate behavior has prompted the need for special attention to be paid to his use of state funds and state resources to support his travel. And it is very important for all the facts to be on the table. No one is above the law.”
Assistant Majority Leader Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, said the “constant drumbeat of allegations against the governor has sounded nonstop all summer. The newest allegations regarding unethical behavior by the governor are serious and should be investigated by the state Ethics Commission.”
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