S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford appeared with his attorney Thursday at yet another media “availability” to blast the inquiries into his administration and to threaten legal action in the event lawmakers try to impeach him and remove him from office.
“We will use every tool in the quiver,” a recalcitrant Sanford said.
The governor’s latest beef? That a preliminary report from the State Ethics Commission – whose members he appoints – will be submitted to lawmakers without his input and prior to the completion of a fuller, more thorough inquiry. Sanford said that would set up a “kangaroo court” in the State legislature.
“That report is only supposed to be given to a prosecutorial body, and the General Assembly is not a prosecutorial body,” Sanford attorney Butch Bowers said.
Frankly, the governor came off like a condemned inmate stalling for more time, as his fate at this point appears to be sealed. In the latest blow to fall, the SCGOP executive committee – which censured Sanford back in July – voted Thursday afternoon to ask for his resignation. On Wednesday, sixty House Republicans (the vast majority of the House GOP Caucus) sent a letter to Sanford calling on him to step down.
The governor’s response?
A 2,800 word novel emailed to his supporters in which he blamed everyone else for his self-inflicted wounds.
Why is the governor digging in so hard? Believe it or not, it could boil down to dollars and cents.
Specifically, there has been increasing speculation that the governor is reliant on the income he receives from taxpayers in the wake of his separation from his wife, Jenny Sanford. Since FITS first post a story suggesting this as a possible motivation earlier this week, numerous sources close to Sanford voiced their support for this theory.
Sanford also refused to answer a question posed by FITS on this subject following his press conference.
The governor is scheduled to earn another $140,000 between now and January 2011.
Earlier this summer, Sanford admitted to having an extramarital affair with his Latin lover, Maria Belen Chapur, an acknowledgment which has prompted intense scrutiny of all aspects of his administration. Examination of the governor’s travel, in particular, has yielded a number of abuses – beginning with a 2008 trip to Argentina that appears to have been arranged entirely for the purpose of permitting Sanford to see his lover.
Sanford refunded taxpayers for his expenses related to that trip (a year after the fact), but he has not reimbursed taxpayers for the time and resources that went into setting it up.
Additionally, Sanford has received first-class plane ticket upgrades in violation of state policy, misused the state plane for personal and political reasons and failed to report numerous airplane flights that were provided to him by friends and political allies.
Pic: Ashley Hester
By Candi September 10, 2009 at 9:26 pm
You’re full of BS. It will cost more than his wages to retain the legal power to fighting this battle – it wouldn’t be worth it. You should maybe use your “sense” and calculate everything before posting this ridiculous notion.
By SC Moderate September 10, 2009 at 9:28 pm
I find it sort of hard to believe that money is Sanford’s sole motivation(or really even a part of his motivation).
1) Sanford’s stubborn, not-listening-to-reason response… seems to be 100% consistent with his personality.
2) Also, he and Jenny aren’t divorced yet, so I’m sure he still has access to money. He hasn’t had many expenses over the past 7 years? And if you look at the money he will probably have to spend to mount such a battle, some of which will be out of pocket…. I just don’t see this as adding up to a true motivating factor.
By 1 + 1 = 3 September 10, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Fits: What happens to his million dollar war chest? Can he use it for the lawyers etc?
By Scott September 10, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Does Sanford have millions in campaign and foundation monies that he can tap for legal fees? He’s too cheap to pay for lawyers out of pocket.
By fitsnews September 10, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Guys, we wrote the story about Mark’s money (or lack thereof) based on comments we received – and we phrased it as a theory, a speculation, not established fact. Since we wrote it, a number of people close to the situation have confirmed its validity. They’ve talked to other reporters about it, too.
How is he paying his legal fees? No clue. He can’t pay for them with campaign cash, however, unless it were somehow converted to a foundation or other entity.
-FITS
By Trey September 10, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Will,
I understand Mark Sanford had a good deal to do with getting you started as a journalist and political life. I am surprised how you can work to totally destroy the guy you must owe a great deal.
By Todd September 10, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Candi: Lawyers the ink of Bowers make more from the no-names who will flock to them than one Sanford. Sanford will probably get credit on his account from all the notoriety Bowers will get.
By MKinVA September 10, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Candi is willing to donate as much money as it will take to save him. And SC Moderate, you have obviously never been divorced. The FIRST THING you do after separation, even a trial separation, is make sure that the soon to be former spouse and his new soulmate have access to NOTHING–not one red cent.
By Strom's Daughter September 10, 2009 at 10:03 pm
“We will use every tool in the quiver . . . ”
That’s an idiocy called a “mixed metaphor,” because quivers don’t hold tools.
But awww . . . it’s cute.
This lisping creep raised by his surgeon dad to hate all lawyers now threatens to unleash a lawyer.
Yep, a tort deformer is someone who’s never had to sue anybody.
But this anybody is a nobody, so case dismissed.
By fitsnews September 10, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Trey-
You obviously don’t know the history of what is a complicated relationship between our founding editor and the governor, so how about do us a favor and put a sock in it.
Irrespective of that relationship, we report on items and offer our analysis and opinion, often involved the governor. If you don’t like what we have to say, go somewhere else.
-FITS
By Huhhh??? September 10, 2009 at 10:12 pm
How about his PACs?
By old bike dude September 10, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Who would play Mark sanford in Carolinafornimasturbation?
By shiya September 10, 2009 at 10:24 pm
If he is offered free airline tickets to BA for life, maybe then he will resign.
Seriously, a cross continental soulmate is a lot of money. Maria is a wealthy woman herself….why would he need the money? is he afraid he will lose his allure once he becomes a pauper….but wait, I thought his was a story of true love..a forbidden one, a tragic one, but a love story neverthless.
By Dismayed September 10, 2009 at 10:34 pm
He could sell the place down by Beaufort, which would surely produce a lot of money. At the same time, getting rid of the place would remove any remaining reason Sanford might have to stay here, with or without the governor’s office. He could move to Buenos Aires, or Little Rock, or anywhere but our state. Surely somewhere could be found for him to dig his therapeutic holes in the ground. This would be the very best thing he has ever done for South Carolina.
By SCLaw September 10, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Candi: Sanford can waste more money on a lawsuit, but he will fail. This has nothing to do with due process. The Legislature can impeach with or without any ethics violations. The Legislature defines serious misconduct, not the Court.
By 1 + 1 = 3 September 10, 2009 at 10:50 pm
last year (2008) this was written about Blount in Missouri:
With approximately $1 million in unused campaign contributions remaining in his candidate committee account, Blunt could wield a lot of influence among fundraising politicians scrambling for cash.
Blunt can back candidates of his choosing, negotiate conditions of a money transfer to the state party, or use the cash — cash that donors gave him with the specific goal of supporting his re-election and his re-election only — to support a particular cause or himself, within modest boundaries established by Missouri law. Among his other options, Blunt could donate the money to charitable organizations, return it to contributors, hold onto it for a future run for a state office or apply it toward a legal defense fund.
So in SC, can Sanford create a legal defense fund with his?
By jeffy September 10, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Candi must work for COS Cubby
By 1 + 1 = 3 September 10, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Feb. 27, 2006, 12 a.m. – Having already spent more than $1 million on attorney fees in the past 20 months, Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) is now dipping into his campaign war chest to pare down some of his mounting legal bills.
WSJ says such legal defense funds have become increasingly common as scrutiny of politicians has intensified. While helping officials to rally supporters, the accounts also have been a source of controversy, in part because they are sometimes lightly regulated relative to campaign funds.
Maybe MS sees this threat as a way to buy time to use the system to convert his cash to something more spendable?
By shiya September 10, 2009 at 11:53 pm
is it just me or have his eye bags puffed up a little more? I thought he had colored his hair and looked fresh after his “reserve duty” when he was supposedly meeting Maria.
By Laura Campbell September 11, 2009 at 12:21 am
Sanford looks terrible. He needs to resign, if for nothing more than his own health. He obviously has had a mental breakdown of some degree.
By Candi September 11, 2009 at 1:11 am
Look, impeachment is possible but that will take a lot of money. What’s the operating cost per day to have GA in session? Right – that’s why they are pushing so hard for him to resign because the GA know the state cannot afford an impeachment trial.
What’s so ridiculous is that nobody thinks about what the future holds for the next governor. The bar will be set so low that anyone can be removed for the slightest of disagreement and SC will be run by the bullies who will threaten it everytime.
No, I don’t work for Sanford nor any of his cronies. I just feel that the “crime” he committed is not against the people. The days he was gone, 3 work days – he didn’t leave until late Thursday, and he was back Wednesday morning. After a long session that just ended, don’t y’all think he deserves a break? So he was gone for 3 work days. One of his foes knew what he was up to so he snidely let it out that the Governor was missing. It’s not like the first time he was gone…
Anyway, all that doesn’t matter. People who hate him will always hate him regardless if he can explain all those charges. Just like that ticket he supposedly won – the media did not even bother to mention that it was a silent auction that Sanford paid 1100 for and was reimbursed the same amount, not like he took a vacation with that ticket and expensed it – it was a business trip he decided to use and even saved the state money as it would have costs at least twice the amount.
By Laura Campbell September 11, 2009 at 1:44 am
Trey,
Don’t be surprised. I’ve questioned many articles on this site, did some digging, and found answers.
If one researches Mr. Folks relationship with Sanford, “The Hit List”, and Folks relationship with Thomas Ravenel, a complete understanding of Sanford/Folks relationship becomes quite apparent.
FITS, this is your blog and you can do as you please on it and say what you like. However, I’d still greatly appreciate an answer for why you first posted, and shortly afterward, removed Vincent Sheheen’s name from your article, “Spratt Asked to Intervene in Solicitor’s Investigation.” What a poor attempt at smearing his name.
But that’s what FITS does best, isn’t it? Thanks, at least, for the entertainment.
Folks in glass houses really should not throw stones. Perhaps I will take your advice to Trey and go elsewhere.
By alaindelon September 11, 2009 at 2:15 am
Candi,
One day of unexcused absence at my job equals termination…Taking $3300
of their money, would mean getting arrested, fired and losing my license..A person cursing at my job was suspended one day without pay.Sanfraud threw his wife,kids and the state under the bus for sex.I wish him well with Maria Chapur.The sooner he quits, the quicker he can be under the sheets with her.Someone already priced out a trip to Buenos Aires for Saturday if he wishes(around $4000 business,or $1500 coach).Free swift kick in the rear from the taxpayers of South Carolina for Sanfraud if he gets on that flight!
By OMG September 11, 2009 at 2:32 am
WOW is all i have to say. The REPUBLICAN party of SOUTH CAROLINA proved once more that they are INCOMPETENT IGNORANT STUPID MORONS!!!!!!!
By ethel krabitz September 11, 2009 at 6:23 am
Dismayed: he can’t sell the land in Beaufort because he doesn’t own it.
By Donna September 11, 2009 at 6:33 am
For whatever reasons Will Folks turned against Mark Sanford,I am glad he did! This site has more honest dialog than any of the news sites I read. I don’t agree with the right-wing ideology, but I appreciate good journalism when I see it. Sanford’s problem is not Maria; it’s that he’s obviously incompetent. He has done not ONE thing to help the people of this state. Not ONE. He visits no hospitals to learn about health care needs. He visits with no veterans to find out how to help them. He visits no schools to ascertain the quality of education in the state. He meets with no new industries that might bring jobs to the state. No. Instead he travels around making insane speeches to try to save himself. He has been a bad governor since day one, but now the stress has thrown him over the edge into the category of “horrible.” Throw the bum out!!!
By 1 + 1 = 3 September 11, 2009 at 7:38 am
“Perhaps I will take your advice to Trey and go elsewhere.”
Don’t let the door hit you in the …. on the way out
By Skidmarks September 11, 2009 at 8:33 am
The money angle makes sense.
Recall that Jenni told Vogue, “Mark is worried about finding a job.”
By Elliott September 11, 2009 at 8:56 am
Dear Honorable Governor,
Why don’t you sue? “At the end of the day,” will your lawyer take the case on contingency?
By Jonny D September 11, 2009 at 9:02 am
Fits, so Luv Guv should have just issued a “no comment” or “presumption of innocence” or “hopefully there will be a resolution that satisfies all parties” instead, is there more to it than that (and don’t you dare tell me it has anything to do with the Ice Princess), you make it one of your life’s missions to take the guy out. For sure champ, you never miss a chance to whack the guy, I just never want to see you get that prize.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0n8N98mpes
By Tee September 11, 2009 at 9:38 am
I would rather pay him $140,000, than bauer in office. God i just cringe thinking about it.
By Calhoun Fawls September 11, 2009 at 10:17 am
Instead of worrying over ole Joe and coffee, perhaps you should find out what your old false Republican boss is on.
By 1 + 1 = 3 September 11, 2009 at 12:11 pm
“Instead of worrying over ole Joe and coffee, perhaps you should find out what your old false Republican boss is on.”
Viagara overdose
By annie September 11, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Doona is so right – this is the only site that is keeping us informed of what is going on – SC has a big problem with Mark Sanford regardless of his nasty affair (still going on I understand – unreal) doesn’t care how much he hurts his wife and boys or the state – he is a poor excuse for an elected official- he looks and acts mentally impaired.
By Silence Dogood September 11, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Ahhh…there he is, Mr. Transparency and Accountability, threating to sue if the legislature impeaches him…Go Get’em Marky Mark!!
What a scmuck
By matt September 11, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I would love the opportunity to punch Mr. Sanford in the face and then kick him when he’s down.
By Stop Pimpin' Your Kids September 11, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Mark’s eyebags, hair color, tragic love affair, and “toolless quiver.” Jenny in luxe hostess attire in SEPTEMBER Vogue on a dirt road with a pickup truck, sons cleanscrubbed, all in a row in a pick up truck bed, dressed in immaculate white shirts, khaki shorts,with the obligatory family lab. How earthily chic, how Hamptons meets lowcounty pluffmud, how completely egocentric and cruel. Abysmal schools, children raising children in poverty,terrible unemployment, families losing houses and forced to choose between food and meds for their sick children… . The Sanfords are so consumed with narcissism and hubris they are both
obviously ill. Sanford running from venue to venue to promote himself to other white males and never stepping foot in a veteran’s hospital, a substandard school, a food bank, or homeless shelter. This is what happens to democracy in an image-driven culture when advertising meets entitlement and money. Does SC deserve what it chose?
By me September 11, 2009 at 2:23 pm
i would rather have a person sleeping with a different lady every night then bauer.
By Admiral_Komack September 11, 2009 at 4:45 pm
By Skidmarks on September 11th, 2009 at 8:33 am
“The money angle makes sense.”
“Recall that Jenni told Vogue, “Mark is worried about finding a job.”
-As well he should.
*No accomplishments after seven years in office.
*Would rather take “field trips” instead of working.
*When caught, instead of taking responsibility for actions, he spins this fantastic tale of the “soul mate”.
*Superiors would not be able to trust him; if he says he’s at A (Appalachin Trail) is he really there, or is he at B (Buenas Aires).
*Meetings chaired by Mark Sanford would be torture sessions (just shoot me now ’cause…he…won’t…shut…up!).
Be very afraid, Mark…be very afraid.
By 1 + 1 = 3 September 11, 2009 at 7:17 pm
shall we fact check the luv gov
http://www.newsday.com/travel/fact-check-sc-gov-s-travel-defense-is-challenged-1.1440651
By shiya September 11, 2009 at 9:57 pm
http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/sep/11/bc-sc-sc-governor-fact-check/?features&travel
Sanford’s excuses have been disproven
By BIN News Editorial Staff September 12, 2009 at 12:00 am
In sic(k) willie’s own words:
“…we phrased it as a theory, a speculation, not established fact.”
What! What! Wait!
sic(k) willie admits he’s full of bull(s)crap.
Actually, bull-scrap. You know. Scrap from a bull.
In other words, just another willie scam.
sic(k) willie is full of “theory”, full of “speculation” and always lacks “established fact.” In other words, he’s full of bullscrap
What a political pimp.
By southernmapart September 12, 2009 at 9:01 am
I hold the criminal legislature totally responsible for “Hamptons meets lowcounty pluffmud, how completely egocentric and cruel. Abysmal schools, children raising children in poverty,terrible unemployment, families losing houses and forced to choose between food and meds for their sick children…”
This is not to suggest that the Sanfords (Mr. and Mrs.) are not out of touch with the least fortunate in the state, but they are not responsible for the misery of the poverty. Our legislators are.
The “needs money” idea is BS.
I’ll keep checking back with Fits for the news on the “real” story.
By fitsnews September 12, 2009 at 9:28 am
yo yo
By normal person September 12, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I know this is shallow, however….
Am I the only person who finds mark sanford really unattractive? ick!! Gigantic under eye bags on his very sharp, beaky face. ick again! I cannot imagine sneaking around to have an affair with him! I am middle aged too, but really, if I were looking to cheat, I sure would try to find someone at least somewhat attractive, and smart. Not some smarmy, unattractive, lazy guy. Again, ICK!!
By shiya September 12, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Add to his looks, his incessant babbling and stupidity. It says more about Maria than him that she had an affair with him. She must be really desperate. I never got the feeling that she was as into him as he was…will she still be interested in a washed up has been selling real estate, and living in mama’s planatation..probably not.
By qwerty September 13, 2009 at 1:27 pm
To member Johnny D
I find it hard to repress a certain feeling of compassion toward that man. You’re pointing at a conflict of interest here…?
mynewwebsite1@yahoo.fr (no possibility of sending private messages on that blog?)
By owlvee September 15, 2009 at 10:11 am
Sanford is a THIEF and should be charged accordingly. He took money from me and the other residents of SC for illegal purposes. I think that is stealing and I am tempted to press charges myself since it was partially my monies that paid for his excursion.