“Sanford Fees” Could Add Up For Taxpayers
S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford claims that his affair with Argentine lover Maria Belen Chapur did not cost the taxpayers a dime, but sources within his office and at several of his Cabinet agencies are disputing that contention.
Citing legal fees, deferred FOIA costs and taxpayer time that would otherwise be spent on more productive purposes, they say that the true cost of Sanford’s affair could reach into the hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of dollars.
Additionally, pending and proposed investigations into Sanford’s travel irregularities by the S.C. State Ethics Commission and others – not to mention potential impeachment proceedings by state lawmakers – could also run up hefty costs.
“(The scandal) has consumed the time and attention of hundreds of government employees for several weeks now – and it’s only going to get more expensive as it gets worse for the governor,” said a source in Sanford’s Cabinet. “It may seem counter-intuitive to say (this), but resignation appears to be the fiscally conservative course for the governor to take.”
FITS has been speaking with sources throughout state government attempting to get a fix on the total taxpayer tab incurred by the governor’s scandal, but conflicting accounts of various costs make it difficult to settle on a precise number.
As we uncover Sanford-related scandal expenses, we’ll be sure to bring them to your attention …
Comments
By Elmo on August 19th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
What you do not realize is that Gov. Sanford and others attending the C house in Washington are chosen by God to lead us. Gov. Sanford is not subject to man’s laws and if we, the sheep, have to pay a few million dollars for Sanford’s shenanigans, it is but a small price to pay to have a leader who talks directly to God.
By COURTNEY on August 19th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
oh, we wish that his cabinet had an impact on Markie and could encourage him to send out a letter of resignation to the people of SC but we all know that Markie only listens to the voices of Markie in his head ……..whaawhaawhaawhaa . No amount of sh** uncovered on this man is going to apparently make a difference…the SC GOP who could take their thumbs out of their a**es and do something are apparently swayed by Markie’s charm and charisma or maybe they are as equally dumb! Political suicide come next election you good ole boys !!!! The vultures are hovering as the SC GOP is quickly dying !!!
By SC Moderate on August 19th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Fitsnews needs a running list of those legislators who are willing to publicly call on Sanford to resign… to include all other names who are not willing.
Make this a campaign issue- put the pressure on those who are not willing to step up to the plate.
By K Trane on August 19th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Haven’t they realized by that that Sanford covers his bases pretty damn well? Quit wasting money on these political witch hunts and let him finish his term. He’s a better governor than Bauer would be.
By scooter on August 19th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I so disagree that Sanford would be better than our current Lt. Gov. That man works very hard for the people of SC, and Sanford has done nothing but be against everything.
By anonymous on August 19th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Sanfraud has cost the state literally billions of dollars.
A few 700 million here, a few 700 million there and it starts to add up.
Sanfraud, by far has been the most costly governor in the history of South Carolina.
Does he care? No.
Does he care about you? No.
Does he care about his family? No.
Does he care about your family? No.
Does he care about your job? No.
Does he care about your well-being? No.
Does he care about South Carolina? No.
Does he care about his greedy little self? Yes.
Does he care about his sex life? Yes.
Does he care about covering his own rear-end? Yes.
Does he care about Jenny? No.
Does he care about his boys? No.
Does he care about Jenny’s family? No.
All Sanfraud cares about is his greedy greedy little self.
His greedy greedy little self.
That’s all, his greedy little self.
By BIN News Editorial Staff on August 19th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Moron post, willie. Regardless of whether he stays or goes, S.C. will spend over eleventy brazillion dollars addressing the frauds that mark, you and the rest of the republicrat establishment have dumped on S.C.
The only reason the republicrat leadership wants him to stay is to keep the lite-gubner from getting the job. You guys know what you did to S.C.
None of you ever thought for a moment that andre (The Little Giant) would ever get a shot at the big job. Now he has a shot.
And you republicrats all sit around saying, “never more, never more.”
By BOYSMOM on August 19th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
K Trane, you have lost your noodles or has Sanford dirt that he would release that makes you afraid? Wakeup and see the sunset without Sanford and all his lies. He does damage to state for every day that he is in office. You are probably part of the Good Ole Boys that would lose power if he leaves..
By anonymous on August 19th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
“Sanford says he actually saved taxpayer money in regards to plane usage, by selling off a state-owned corporate jet, and flying statewide on a single engine plane.”
Mark Sanford flew illegally in those small SCDNR planes.
Apparently, no one knows where he went or what he was doing.
But, byGod Sanfraud saved money, right?
ByGod he saved us money.
The freak saved money, right?
No. The freak has cost us big time.
The freak needs to leave.
By anonymous on August 20th, 2009 at 5:26 am
MARK SANFORD IS MENTAL
Meanwhile, the governor is contesting questions about other travel.
Last month, the Associated Press reported Sanford had flown in pricey, taxpayer-funded seats on commercial airlines for state trips. State Sen. David Thomas, a Republican congressional candidate who has been investigating those flights, said the more expensive flights on two state Commerce Department trips broke a law requiring lowest-cost travel and cost taxpayers $13,700 more than the economy class flights available.
In a letter to Thomas, the governor’s attorney, Swati Patel, argued that state code requiring employees travel “by the most economical methods” and buy coach seats on commercial airlines is “likely invalid.”
She repeated Sanford’s arguments that the state Department of Commerce — an agency he controls — booked the overseas tickets. The agency thinks it has discretion to book more costly seats for overseas economic development trips so the governor is rested when he steps off the plane and into meetings, Patel wrote.
“Regardless, we have serious doubts whether the obscure travel regulation on which your allegations rely remains valid,” she wrote, saying the decades-old rule likely doesn’t apply today.
She questioned whether the State Budget and Control Board can legally set travel rules, though state budget law specifically gives the five-member board — of which the governor is chairman — that authority.
“We are not aware of any reason why the travel regulations and policies adopted over the years by the Budget and Control Board would no longer be valid,” agency spokesman Mike Sponhour said Wednesday.
Thomas likened the governor’s argument to a speeding driver who is finally ticketed.
“Suppose you’ve been driving 70 mph down a 45 mph stretch and getting away with it for years. You can’t say the city of Columbia waived the law because it failed to enforce it before. That’s how ludicrous the argument is,” he said.
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/908819.html
By lou on August 20th, 2009 at 7:25 am
C STREETERS ARE MOONIES!!
C STREET CHASES RIGHT BACK TO REV SUN MOON WHO WANTS TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD and establish ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT>
SANFORD IS A MOONIE!!!
GET RID OF THE MOONIES AGAIN please.
By liz shepherd on August 20th, 2009 at 7:31 am
He should explain why the state of South Carolina no longer accepts valid not expired not retracted or rescended administrative decisions.
Once an administrative decision or court award is issued , it used to be VALID AND GOOD>
SANFORD CHANGED THE RULES WITHOUT CHANGING THE LAW.
The State of SOUTH CAROLINA NO LONGER HONORS VALID ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS.
BE WARNED. HE’S STILL MAKING RULES UP <
no wonder, he's a Moonie
By bluetiger on August 20th, 2009 at 8:29 am
HEY – COSTING TAXPAYERS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS!!!!! AND SUCH THINGS LIKE THAT – Has anyone checked lately at what our beloved Clemson University has spent to date “protecting and covering up for the Administration and BOT” in the Troutman case?????
Seems like is just a dead issue – have they beaten Mr. Troutman down so much, paid him off??
Just got strangely quiet……
By shiya on August 20th, 2009 at 11:47 am
“Asked whether he had remained in touch with the woman, Maria Belen Chapur, Sanford replied, “No, again, how many times do I have to say this? I have moved on. We’ve all tried to move on.”
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090820/NEWS/908200317/1011/NEWS03/Mark-Sanford-undecided-on-allowing-ethics-probe