S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford – and to some extent his wife, First Lady Jenny Sanford – routinely used the governor’s security detail and taxpayer-funded staff to run personal errands and perform a wide range of tasks unrelated to their official responsibilities, multiple sources have confirmed to FITS.
Here are just a few of the various chores the governor and first lady are alleged to have asked their staff and security detail to perform …
*Ferrying the Sanfords’ two dogs back and forth from the Governor’s Mansion to Coosaw Plantation in Beaufort County.
*Delivering “Friendship Bread” to the Sanfords’ friends and family during the holidays.
*Carting trucks full of alcohol from a political event at Coosaw Plantation to the Governor’s Mansion (the alcohol was later allegedly purchased by the Mansion, with the proceeds going to Sanford).
*Picking up Gov. Sanford’s boat from a repair shop in Beaufort County and delivering it to Coosaw Plantation.
*Driving a bowl of potato salad from the Governor’s Mansion to Coosaw Plantation (no seriously, this was allegedly the purpose of the trip).
*Transporting the governor’s exercise equipment back and forth from the Governor’s Mansion to Coosaw Plantation.
*Bringing Sanford work clothes and outdoor boots from the Governor’s Mansion to Coosaw Plantation.
The governor technically never insisted that staff and security perform any of these tasks, but according to our sources that doesn’t mean the taxpayers weren’t forced to pick up the tab for the work.
“He would always say, ‘I know this is not your job, but …’ and then he would ask us to do whatever it was that he wanted done,” one source told FITS. “What were we supposed to say? I mean … he’s the governor.”
In some cases, the taxpayers were billed time-and-a-half for the personal errands.
None of our sources would speak on the record, although several of them said that they would tell the truth if compelled to testify before a legislative inquiry or criminal probe. One source also told FITS that “extensive documentation” exists in the event impeachment managers in the S.C. House of Representatives were to request it.
Some of this information has reportedly been redacted from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed by members of the media due to the involvement of the governor’s security detail.
Neither the governor nor the First Lady returned calls from FITS seeking comment.
By male sapphist August 12, 2009 at 4:06 pm
How much did they save the taxpayers by living in a trailer on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion instead of the mega $$$$ Hodges gobbled up living in Governor’s Manse II in Shandon?
By Fru Gully August 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Come on! Let’s look at the big picture. Through being away half of the time over the last four months, the guv has saved us a lot of electricity costs through cutting off the lights in the Governor’s Mansion and his office and conference room in the State House. He has also saved overtime pay for security by not using them very much. With his family moved back to Charleston, that will be even more expenses reduced at the Governor’s Mansion. Besides, his last vacation was a working vacation, with the economic development plans he was working on to be announced soon.
By Anon August 12, 2009 at 4:22 pm
These are all true…ask pretty much any former staffer. No telling what you might find if you keep digging.
By MKinVA August 12, 2009 at 4:37 pm
When you live “a busy intertwined life” you cannot be expected to remember silly details like the potato salad and work boots. That just asking too much. No wonder it costs them $680,000 a year to run the Mansion. Most of that must be in travel reimbursements to staff.
By shay August 12, 2009 at 4:40 pm
People should stop comparing Sanford’s spending to his predecessors.
He ran on a reform platform but spent just as much as any of them, maybe more, plus lied lied lied about it and held others to a standard he wasn’t following himself.
That not only makes him a spendthrift, but also a hypocrite.
By Merit Man August 12, 2009 at 4:45 pm
This one’s gonna hurt a bit…….
By yarrrrr August 12, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Oh big whoop, this is absolutely nothing… now using the state plane is a different story…
By ard August 12, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Are you one of the “former staffers” Sic?
By shiya August 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I agree..this wont get much traction unless it is specifically against the law. It sure damages his reputation as a fiscally responsible guy though.
By joebo August 12, 2009 at 5:17 pm
The gig’s up, Mark. Resign now.
By shiya August 12, 2009 at 5:17 pm
In fact, the dc lovenest story may be worth following up as there is a potential violation of laws there…
By baker August 12, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Yeah, this stuff mostly seems like not that big of a deal to me. But Mark Sanford was just so sanctimonious about his frugality and spendthriftyness and “reform” and cutting spending…..He sort of set himself up for a pretty strong backlash with a situation like this.
By Dianne August 12, 2009 at 5:42 pm
FITS staff please contact Sen. Thomas and forward all pertinent info re impeachment. Sen. Thomas is one of the few rays of light willing to courageously (aka bucking his party heads) do the right thing and for the sake of SC integrity hold Sanford accountable for his thievery.
By ryan August 12, 2009 at 5:44 pm
This is all blown up to get at Sanders and his wife any way they can. Come on. Leave them and their kids alone. She apparently is looking after the children and handling this in a dignified manner.
By fitsnews August 12, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Dianne-
Sen. Thomas is an even bigger douche bag than Mark Sanford, if that’s possible.
A ray of light? Get a life …
-FITS
By PandaChris August 12, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Wow!
Are we to believe that all of the reform minded bloggers and activists who worked for years to prop up Mark Sanford as the great RIGHT hope and worked hard to destroy his opponents (For a list, search for the term RINO on this site…that is the usual epitaph hurled at them) were not already AWARE of these infractions.
If Bobby Harrell sent his secretary to get him a cup of coffee, some would be screaming “Head RINO abuses Legislative staff while SC children starve!”.
Those activists that have pushed Sanford owe all other reform minded activists an apology (SC Club for Growth…that means YOU)
Mark and Maria make Catherine and Wallace look like saints!
But, I know, I know….I keep forgetting that the “rules” dont apply to Sanford…just us little people.
By Anon August 12, 2009 at 6:05 pm
*Driving a bowl of potato salad* is the kicker.
Hide and watch.
By anonymous August 12, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Security detail equals SCDNR
Security detail equals SLED
Everytime you see one of those big black SCDNR 4 X 4′s, the pickup trucks(SCDNR logo) with the big cattle guard/cable wench on the front running up and down the road, well, just remember they are running errands for the LUV GUV.
BTW, which state agency took Sanfrauds boat in for repair, you guessed it, SCDNR. Wasn’t it SCDNR that has those little propeller aiplanes flying all around the state that Sanfraud likes so much, oh and also keep in mind that they don’t keep any log records of their flights, NO RECORDS? NO LOG BOOKS? AMAZING!
By King Cotton August 12, 2009 at 6:29 pm
“This is all blown up to get at Sanders and his wife any way they can.”
Ryan, what’s the Colonel got to do with this?
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' August 12, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Thomas is borderline retarded. Ignore his nonsense. Sanford’s hypocritical conduct has left him politically powerless and has put the reform movement on hiatus at least until he leaves office, which will hopefully be well before January 2011.
By anonymous August 12, 2009 at 6:42 pm
In his words: The governor’s take on his travel
“I flew, roughly 70 were actually in the single-engine Cessna the S.C. Department of Natural Resources owns because whenever I had a chance I tried to use this small plane” …”it is hardly “gubernatorial” in its look and feel”
What was the governor doing flying around with the SCDNR? Really?
What was the purpose of the trips? Where was he going? What was he doing?
By Gillon August 12, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Male Sapphist: Two things that you should know:
1. Sanford did not live in a trailer on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion for several months while it was undergoing repairs. He lived in the Mansion’s “pool house.”
2. It cost the taxpayers of SC upwards of $10,000 to renovate the pool house to make it suitable for the Sanfords. This fact never became widely known in order that Sanford might maintain his “mystique” that he was frugal with the taxpayers’ money.
By scooter August 12, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Why are some few people continuing to support this weird, bully-boy. I can not understand how anyone could think he deserves support, sympathy and another chance? I want a working, professional, honest Gov. This one is not that person. Leave the state, now.
By scooter August 12, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Good job, Gillon. Sanford also did not sleep on a cot in D.C. He had an apartment nearby, where he would sneak off to many nights, all the time saying he is saving money. This man needs professional help, not the kind that he has quoted thus far. Will, you know a lot. When will you step up and tell? Not just on your web site.
By Old Man August 12, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Jenny Sanford worked as hard or harder than any paid staff person at the Mansion and was never paid a dime. She deserves to have gotten a few perks. Com’on guys.
By BIN News Editorial Staff August 12, 2009 at 8:28 pm
sic(k) willie,
All 6 of your loyal readers (up from 3 a few years ago) are sick enough to puke in their shoes over your continued allegations based on unnamed sources. You know! Like the “unnamed” sources who suckered you on claims of a Midlands’ elected official you once claimed has a “Strom problem.” You finally shut up about that claim after promising and promising facts and details. So much for your credibility. Sucker.
By The silence is deafning in Chesterfield County August 12, 2009 at 9:36 pm
We understand the need for unnamed sources. However, one can only listen to the “unnamed sources” thing until they become jaded or write off a story as being without merit.
I’d love to see the unnamed sources come foward from the alleged arrests at rest stop in “06 concerning Hodge. No paper trail, no witnesses, unnamed sources…Did it even happen?
Some in Chesterfield County are having one helluva time getting anything investigated because of…you guessed it…no paper trail, no witnesses, unnamed sources.
There is one person here (Bullard) who is basically standing alone on this issue and getting hammered for speaking up about the solicitor investigation because of the same type of political arena that exists in Columbia.
What purpose does redacting serve again? Oh, yeah, to cover up or “protect” private info.
Gotta love the “no comment” thing too. The silence here in C’fld County is deafning.
As for Sanford and 1st lady, enough has been brought to light for people to come foward and speak out. Otherwise, articles such as this appear trite and unfounded.
By Jim August 12, 2009 at 10:46 pm
“Some of this information has reportedly been redacted from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed by members of the media due to the involvement of the governor’s security detail.”
If he tried to hide his wrongdoings from the FOIA requests by trying to say it was privileged due to security concerns he should resign now.
We should not settle for being lied to and no punishment administered.
By calhoun fawls August 12, 2009 at 10:58 pm
You know what, stuff like this and the first class tickets really do not bother me. The Governor shouldn’t be treated as just another bubba. He represents the state of SC.
It is is when he goes missing and insults our First Lady that I am concerned with. This is an effort to eventually gain him sympathy. Wait and see.
By shiya August 13, 2009 at 1:01 am
Keep up the good work, Will. You are being cited here.
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/899867.html
By lou August 13, 2009 at 7:38 am
Now you know his back hurts in his middle age. He turned off the State Christmas tree too, remember all of that last year. I wonder, does Sanford believe in Christmas can someone find out please.
We are seeing glimpses of his wierd religion. He wants us to be religious like him, just like him. He knows best you see.
King David.( syndrome- mental illness)
Has anyone ever heard Mark Sanford pledge alliance to the flag?
has anyone ever heard his views on breaking up the US OF A?
I have heard that most citizens of the United States of America do not want this country broken in any way. We respect the Constitution and should we be forced to give it up… would we be notified? Or would our Governor go globe trotting and conveniently forget to inform us that he and his associates couped the country, established a gubbment not in any way reflective of the United States of America and our laws and rules.So is he King David, Governor of the state of South Carolina or some kind of gubbnor?
We need to test these waters and find out I am afraid.
By liz shepherd August 13, 2009 at 7:52 am
People your government changed into a gubbment and is was a COUP
By Jeffy01 August 13, 2009 at 9:47 am
Wow-Sic, you got BIN and Liz in the same thread?! Nutjobs of the south unite!
By Darth August 13, 2009 at 11:26 am
key word alleged, like Sen Thomas alleged to be Andre’s ally in seeking a year of incumbency before the primary…
only alleged
Gillon
“1. Sanford did not live in a trailer on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion for several months while it was undergoing repairs. He lived in the Mansion’s “pool house.”
2. It cost the taxpayers of SC upwards of $10,000 to renovate the pool house to make it suitable for the Sanfords. This fact never became widely known in order that Sanford might maintain his “mystique” that he was frugal with the taxpayers’ money.”
We know the Huckabee’s used a triplewide (maybe acceptable for Arkansas standards) for the same reason Lotto Boy had my $$$ going into a mansion outside the mansion’s school zone…
that aside, how nice a mobile home is your +/- $10,000 trailer?
By Darkseid616 August 13, 2009 at 11:29 am
I think the media/press/interested persons need to start looking at the Sanfraud’s 4 darling little brats, I mean boys. Why don’t they attend public school and who is paying for the private school? Does the Governor’s security detail accompany them to school and at school? Are any of them in remedial classes and if so why? What about their medical records? Are any of them on drugs for ADHD or other things? The oldest son is 14 does he have a girlfriend yet? If not why? Is he gay? Has he had sexual intercourse? Are there discipline probems that occurred before the affair? Any discipline issues with the brats, I mean boys since then? Have any of them been in trouble at school? Were the Governor and First Lady called?
If you really want to get rid of Sanfraud go after the kids!! If that sounds to harsh then you don’t have what it takes to be in politics.
By Jed August 13, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Regarding Sanford supposedly muddying up some recent FOIA requests to try to cover up his private trips, here are some of his thoughts on FOIA in 2004, for hypocrisy’s sake.
WHEREAS, a well-informed public is vital to our democratic society;
and WHEREAS, conducting government business openly enables the people
of our state to be knowledgeable about the formulation of
public policy as well as the people involved in the process; and
WHEREAS, enacted in 1978, the Freedom of Information Act restricts
privacy in all levels of government and ensures that people
of the Palmetto State have timely access to the activities
of their public officials with minimum expense.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mark Sanford, Governor of the Great State of
South Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 13 – 19,
2004, as
OPEN GOVERNMENT WEEK
And September 19, 2004, as
SUNSHINE SUNDAY
throughout the state and encourage all South Carolinians to recognize the
important role of open government to the democratic process.
By Floyd Lawson August 13, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Will, RE: D. Thomas……correctamundo!!! Cheap political stunt designed to enhance name recogintion in upcoming GOP primary for CD-4