McMaster (Still) Won’t Pull The Trigger
S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster is once again passing the buck on investigating Gov. Mark Sanford – this time asking the toothless State Ethics Commission to look into whether or not Sanford violated ethics law in using state aircraft for personal purposes.
Is he kidding us? That’s like asking a mall cop to investigate the friggin’ Kennedy assassination.
Previously, McMaster asked the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to investigate whether or not Sanford broke any laws in traveling to see his Argentine lover Maria Belen Chapur.
Both of McMaster’s requests have sought narrowly-defined investigations – but that’s not all they have in common.
SLED is a Cabinet agency, which means its director serves at the pleasure of the governor. Meanwhile, the nine members of the Ethics Commission are all appointed by the governor. Also three members of the commission have donated to Sanford’s gubernatorial campaigns, while the spouse of a fourth is another Sanford donor.
In other words, McMaster has asked for two limited inquires – and asked two agencies controlled by the governor to conduct them.
Hmmm …
Comments
By 1+1=3 on August 13th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
maybe for his punishment we should lock him up in a room with mark and let them talk it out
By Jonny D on August 13th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
That picture would seem to confirm this website’s complicity in the attempted character assassination of the Governor. Shameless.
By Minto W. McGill on August 13th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Normally, I can’t really blame Henry for being a little gun-shy . . . First, he hijacks the prosecution of the dungeon rapist in Darlington and promptly goes out and LOSES A GIMME! Then he hot-dogs to the media on Craigslist classified ads and gets himself hauled into Federal Court (along with every solicitor in the state).
As to Sanford’s travel, all Henry has to do is present the evidence to the state grand jury. If the grand jury refuses to indict, then he did his job by presenting the evidence. If the grand jury indicts, then Sanford resigns, enters a plea and probably pays a fine and restitution. No jail time, probably no probation (not like Sanford would need time to make payments or anything). Of course, that scenario would leave Henry running against GOVERNOR Bauer instead of LITE GOVERNOR Bauer. I am sure that prospect has NOTHING to do with Henry being so gun-shy for the first time.
By Hmmm... on August 13th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Let me guess…he also sent SLED to investigate solicitor office scandal in Chesterfield County and related issues with some of Cheraw’s finest (ones donning the blue uniforms, that is).
Do these guys answer to anyone? God himself even?
By PasserBy on August 13th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Didn’t you see “Mall Cop”? Clearly, McMaster did, so acting that way is “problem solved”.
And, I agree with Minto, I’m sure his pending run for the governorship has NOTHING to do with his lackluster pursuit of any investigation.
It is just me, or does anyone else think Sanford is actually getting pressure NOT to resign, since all the jackels want to fight on “even ground” for his job?
By Jeffy on August 13th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Well duh. He has refused to investigate all of Liz’s claims so no way he will look into Sanford.
By Mike Honcho on August 13th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Oh Will. I worry about the day Sanford leaves office and you have to choose a side. You’ll also have time to pick splinters out of your ass. This website goes from weather vane to “You’re So Vain.” High five for milking the cow for this long.
The SLED Chief does not “serve at the pleasure of the Governor” and you know that all too well.
I declare these transparent bash posts have all the predictability of a ‘Rock of Love’ finale. A couple of whores fight it out and we’ll see you again next time.
By JimBeam on August 13th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
The last thing Henry McMaster wants is for Andre Bauer to become governor. What we have here is strategic incompetence, as opposed to the type or AG is so well known for.
By follydude on August 14th, 2009 at 12:31 am
i like how the only thing holding anyone back from burning effigies of Sanford at the Mansion gates and marching on Columbia with pitchforks and torches is the concept of Andre Bauer as the New Governor.
By anonymous on August 14th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Questions linger over SLED handling of Sanford travel review
AG sought full review in June, division only looked at five trips
The S.C. State Law Enforcement Division decided to limit a June review of Gov. Mark Sanford’s travel spending to only five trips, even though Attorney General Henry McMaster had requested a full review of the governor’s travel records.
But the questions lingers over why SLED decided to limit its review. SLED spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said Thursday that the division was asked to review only those dates in question. But a copy of the AG request obtained by the City Paper includes no specific limitations, only a general request for a preliminary review of the governor’s travel records.
FULL STORY:
http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/questions-linger-over-sled-handling-of-sanford-travel-review/Content?oid=1287456
By Ron on August 16th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Will,
The Honorable H. McMaster realizes in his “heart of hearts” that South Carolinians are sick and tired of politics as usual which is why he will be rejected by the voters for Gov in 2010. He really knows this. I like Henry and find his “old south” political good ole boy stump speeches amusing. Sorry Henry! We The People are looking for “a reformer” not a political “blowhard stump speaker”. Do us a favor and retire!
I’ll vote Nikki Haley in 2010 for her reform agenda!