Sanford Trying To Block Release Of Ethics Probe
So much for “sunlight being the ultimate disinfectant” in the political process …
S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford, who last month pledged to allow the State Ethics Commission to conduct its investigation of his various indiscretions in public, is now attempting to block the agency’s preliminary report from being released.
Attorneys representing the governor filed a motion with the S.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday that would prevent the commission from releasing its preliminary findings, thus preventing state lawmakers (and by extension the public) from getting a look at the information.
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. Examinations of the governor’s travel, in particular, have 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.
Most recently, it has been alleged that Sanford’s failure to report some of the flights provided to him could expose him to a tax liability.
Ostensibly, the ethics commission is investigating all of this. But here’s what makes all of the maneuverings surrounding this investigation so bizarre – Sanford appoints every seat on the State Ethics Commission, and has received campaign contributions from several of its members.
The fact that he has to go to court in order to get them to do (or not do) anything seems ridiculous.
So what’s Sanford’s strategy here (assuming he has one)?
Obviously, the governor has committed himself to a protracted legal battle against impeachment. That much is clear. And clearly, he sees some legal benefit to this move that must outweigh the considerable hit he’ll take publicly for reneging on his promise to keep the investigation open.
Apparently, Sanford no longer cares if he’s universally-regarded as a hypocrite … so long as he hangs onto his paycheck for another fourteen months.
The other thought is that the governor knows the report will conclude that he violated state law, and is stalling for time.
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Comments
By 1 + 1 = 3 on September 30th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
He must really be worried about what they’re going to say – otherwise why bother?
By SC Moderate on September 30th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Are the House & Senate still moving forward to send Sanford packing… or have they decided to be complacent and completely lacking of conviction?
By Laura Campbell on September 30th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
More time wasted that could be used on attracting jobs, education, making something decent and workable of the broken Social Services system, etc…I’m terrified now to cast a vote for anyone. They may end up being more of an inept, incapable ass than Sanford. Sickening.
Perhaps he can come to Chesterfield County and get together with some of the same inept, corrupt jackasses we have in our local political arena and cry together over a beer. He’d fit right in.
By bluetiger on September 30th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Well, shades of Jim Barker and Company. Who’s teaching who, here?
Guess Jimbo has been at the dodging facts longer than Sanford. So, “Hey Jim, good job, you’re teaching all the good ol’ boys new tricks” Guess the day of reckoning will hae to hold off until the good guys finally get smarter or just fed up with it.
By Zach on September 30th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Yeah. Let’s let Jean Toal decide what should or should not be made public. Anybody remember when she had her own office servants investigate her? What? Once? Twice? Thrice? Why doesn’t Glenn McConnell go ahead and put the hammer down on Jean and Mark? He could if he wanted to do so.
By Nancey Dupree on September 30th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
P;ease dear God,put at least one of us out of our misery!
By Sam on September 30th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
No educated person would do otherwise if they were in Sanford’s position.
It is simply not prudent, or responsible, to publicize an investigation until it is complete.
By inside sc on September 30th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Laura Campbell, why do you keep talking about Chesterfield County. We dont, give a shit about Chesterfield County!
By CNSYD on September 30th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Typical of Sanfraud to advocate something until it affects him and then do a 180.
By Huhhh??? on September 30th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
He needs to be impeached now. Don’t have to prove a crime was committed, just convince the Senate there has been serious misconduct, which is glaringly obvious.
The Ethics Commission investigation was never necessary. After all, it wasn’t even around when the Constitution was written.
By Groundball on September 30th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
What did Maria ever see in this guy anyway? He should have gone to the Supreme Court to keep information about her quiet also.
I’m to the point that anything that Sanford ever championed as Governor was as bogus as he is. Why would we ever give any Governor any more power than they have already?
When is there going to be an investigation into the Commerce Department? They were his enablers throughout this whole debacle.
By CNSYD on September 30th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
bluetiger, what has Barker got to do with this situation? If the story was on John Edwards you would try to tie it to Barker. Barker works for the BOT of Clemson. Until they decide he is to be replaced he won’t be. You need to concentrate your efforts there. Have you discussed your substantiated charges with any of them? Just like no one can impeach Sanford but the SC legislature, no one can remove Barker but the BOT, Weeping and wailing here accomplishes nothing.
By scraymond on September 30th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Sic,
When are you going to write a story totally devoted to how big a disgrace Bobby Harrell is to the SC Legislature as well as the entire state. Because of him, this crap is dragging on and on and on when he has the power to end it and put SC back on track. Its obvious that Sanford has something on Bobby and those skeletons in his closet are why he has not called the house back into session. Not only is it obvious that Cato will be the next Speaker over Harrell’s complete disregard for reality, but house district 114 may even have a new representative when its constituents realize Bobby has no backbone to do the right thing. Everybody please write the editor of their paper to call out our Speaker for not calling the legislature back in for impeachment despite nearly the entire republican caucus in support of giving Sanford the boot. Here goes a legislative session of NOTHING getting accomplished if Harrell does not wake up and smell the coffee.
By Freddie on September 30th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
This is why we need Sheheen!
VincentSheheen.com
By Wildman on September 30th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Sanfraud just bent over and told the tax payers to kiss his ass I am not going anywhere, because I am like King David because GOD told me so and I am hear to rule all of you and there is nothing you can can do about it. WELL WE WILL SE WANT WE MARK!!
By Laura Campbell on September 30th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Inside SC:
You may not give a ____ about Chesterfield County, but I live here and I care. A good number of our local politicians should resign. As long as there are no effective means of addressing the issues locally, I will do so on this site and others.
That being said, I could give less a ___ about your opinion of what I address on this site or anywhere else. And this is a SC political website, is it not?
If you (or we?) don’t care to read my posts, skip over them.
By Spok on October 1st, 2009 at 5:04 am
I king David command everyone to do as I say not as I do, for it is written I shall rule you all and everyone is wrong as usual. Now make me an appoinment at sports clips and the dentist and book me a flight I have a Maria Craving and for gods sakes keep that woman Jenny and her friends away from me. Tell Butch to sue all their butts I have 14 months left before I get my pension.
By old bike dude on October 1st, 2009 at 7:02 am
sic cood we get spelchex for this cite?
By Toyota Kawaski on October 1st, 2009 at 8:21 am
The Forgiveness Tour will stop in Aiken County today.He will suck eggs with all the Westies out at the Bomb Plant and then over to Aiken Tech to chase after Dr.Windsor and her Palin Pumps.I’m sure the Sen.from Wisconsin will be in tow along with another local LOOOOOOSER Scottie Singer.
By SC Southpaw on October 1st, 2009 at 8:52 am
The strategy is simple. Delay the results and push impeachment into the regular session. Then attack the Legislature for conducting a witch hunt instead of fixing the states problems. The added benefit is it forces the Legislature to consider everything within the context of Legislature instead of letting them bloodlet him with the preliminary results. The Republicans should be scared. Nothing is more dangerous than a cornered injured animal.
By SC Southpaw on October 1st, 2009 at 8:53 am
Sorry, I meant consider everything within the context of a formal impeachment process.
By Jonny D on October 1st, 2009 at 9:15 am
The Governor has promised to serve out the remainder of his term, and that is exactly what he intends to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMs83vY2d34
By Red on October 1st, 2009 at 9:31 am
Sanford is turning into a hybrid of Nixon and Clinton.
Maybe he thinks by dragging out investigations and covering up his spending, he can look presidential for 2012?
By Pat Hendrix on October 1st, 2009 at 10:09 am
This man is without shame. Unfortunately, this isn’t news. What do you expect from a guy that asked the Marine Corps to stop flying over his house because the noise was bothering his guests at cocktail parties? Then he lied and blamed a staffer when the press caught wind.
What a loser.
By CNSYD on October 1st, 2009 at 11:36 am
Pat Hendrix, Sanfraud has been a loser since day one of running for the 1st district. The Republican lemmings bought all his lies hook, line and sinker. OK, fool me once but to continue to elect him? And the Republicans used to complain about the poor and blacks pulling the D lever.
By Libb on October 1st, 2009 at 12:08 pm
The real obstacle to Sanford’s impeachment is Gen Glenn McConnell. Again, the word is the Senate will never go for impeachment because Glennie does not want to give up his catbird seat of power. Notice how quiet he has been on this issue? And why isn’t sic Will(since he “drives the debate”)& the rest of the media reporting/investigating McConnell’s nonactions. At the very least just ask the man for a comment.
Lt Bobby Harrell is just following orders from Gen McConnell. All that Myrtle Beach caucus bluster about impeachment was just that, BLUSTER.
And Sanfraud is all too aware of this and milking it for all its worth.
By MKinVA on October 1st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Sam said “It is simply not prudent, or responsible, to publicize an investigation until it is complete.” This “preliminary” report myth has been repeated so often people think it is a fact. There is no such thing as a preliminary report made by the Ethics Committee. They come out with their report and that’s it. It’s not preliminary; it’s final. What may come after that report is entirely up to the prosecuting authority. Sanford himself gave the go ahead for the Commission to admit that it was investigating as was his right as the subject of the investigation. Sanford himself is the one publicizing the issue. Nothing substantive has been heard from the Commission to date.
By bluetiger on October 1st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Hey CNSYD!! If weeping and wailing, bitching and moaning, whatever, if it’ll cause just a little more of someone’s attention to be placed on Barker and his circle of jerks, I will do it!!
By ethel krabitz on October 1st, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Sanford: DEAD…………..MAN………………WALKING!!
By Strom's Daughter on October 1st, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Dum spiro spermo.