South Carolina’s top law enforcement officer says that unless additional information comes to light about S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford’s alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars in the furtherance of an admitted extramarital affair, he may not even launch a formal criminal investigation.
Reggie Lloyd, Chief of the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), also told FITS this weekend that his office would handle a State Senator’s call for a SLED investigation “like anything else that comes in.”
Lloyd says the first step in that process is determining if sufficient evidence of criminal conduct exists to justify a full-scale investigation.
“You’ve got to show me something other than the fact that he was on a legitimate trip and had dinner with this person,” Lloyd told FITS, referring to a state-funded trip to Argentina that has raised eyebrows in the wake of Sanford’s surprise admission of infidelity last week. “The only way it would be a crime is if the trip was subterfuge, if it was something he set up specifically for the purpose of seeing this person.”
Sources in the Governor’s Office reiterated yesterday that the Argentinian leg of Sanford’s June 2008 South American economic development trip was legitimate, although Sanford’s office did announce last week that it would reimburse the Department of Commerce $8,000 for his expenses.
State Sen. Jake Knotts, one of the governor’s staunchest political enemies and the leading advocate for a criminal investigation, says that’s like offering to put money back into a bank after you’ve robbed it.
Still, Lloyd told FITS that “from everything we’ve seen it looks like the trip was legitimate.”
“If there’s something criminal there we’re going to pursue it, but right now we don’t have anything that looks criminal,” Lloyd told FITS. “Unless they uncover something else there’s no way I could actually launch a criminal investigation, let alone bring charges.”
Lloyd was appointed by Sanford, but he’s broken with the governor in high-profile situations in the past. Specifically, Lloyd opposed Sanford earlier this year during the fight over a controversial $700 million pot of federal “stimulus” funds.
By Lorry June 28, 2009 at 9:51 am
We know most of what dirt that there is on Sanford. It is kinda boring now.
Lets dig a bit on Bauer and Knotts. One has, hmmm, lots in his closet. The other has, hmmm, lots!
In the spirit of good sport, it is the least that should be done.
By Matt June 28, 2009 at 11:30 am
Reggie Lloyd says: “The only way it would be a crime is if the trip was subterfuge, if it was something he set up specifically for the purpose of seeing this person.”
The AP reported on Friday: “A spokeswoman for the Commerce Department said Friday that initially plans were made to only visit Brazil, but Sanford asked for extra meetings in Argentina.”
Of course Joel Sawyer says that Sanford requesting meetings in Argentina on a trip that was to only include Brazil had nothing to do with Sanford wanting to see his girlfriend, which he did.
But doesn’t this at least introduce the possibility of “subterfuge” as Reggie Lloyd defines it, and wouldn’t that then be reason enough to open a SLED investigation by Reggie Lloyd’s own standards?
By You Know That's Right! June 28, 2009 at 11:35 am
Uncle Tom!
By Cooky June 28, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Shocking that Lloyd isn’t going to “investigate” the man who gave him his job – a job that he didn’t really deserve nor was he qualified.
From this point forward, the political posturing will get grotesque.
Sanford should resign and save everyone the trouble.
By Mr. Roo June 28, 2009 at 2:09 pm
The amount of money that could potentially be involved in this witch hunt isn’t worth anyone’s time to pursue.
By ts June 28, 2009 at 3:37 pm
No witch hunt needed if the governor would resign. He has held himself out as the standard-bearer of accountability. To be accountable for our actions means knowing when we can no longer serve in a leadership capacity.
By scgop June 28, 2009 at 4:45 pm
How do you know whether a crime has been committed if you will not look?
By madcock June 28, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Imagine if the governor in question were a Dem and the SLED Chief declining to investigate was put in place by that gov.!
The howls from this site, it’s right-wing nut ilk and the editorial boards of The State, Post & Courier, Herald-Journal, etc. would be so loud sexy Maria could hear them in Buenos Aires.
Oh well, the rules are different when you have Jesus as a card-carrying member of your party, I guess.
By crystal ball June 28, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Regardless of investigation, this is going to be a wild roller coaster of a political season. Its going to be nasty.
By Interloper June 28, 2009 at 6:45 pm
That fellow seems to “know his place.” Not only are there reasons to believe wrongdoing occurred, there is probable cause to believe Gov Mark Sanford engaged in illegal acts.
By FWFIV June 28, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Sanford’s office did not announce it would pay back the full $8000.00.
They said an unspecified portion of the total would be reimbursed. That is a difference worth noting in your post Will.
By liz June 29, 2009 at 6:46 am
yoooohoooooo Mr. Floyd, I have details I would appreciate you considering….
I believe there is something to investigate. I believe I could convince you if….
you have not already made up your mind, or taken your orders not to investigate.
By Charles June 29, 2009 at 6:14 pm
If this were a lower level state employee, Sanford would have fired them, call for a criminal investigation, or both.